SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 16 DOLPHINS 14
CALLUM WALKER, CommBank Stadium, Friday
WAYNE BENNETT’S reign as South Sydney head coach began with a win in a dramatic and hard-fought battle against former side Dolphins.
It was nip and tuck throughout, with only a late Isaiah Tass try handing Bennett and the Rabbitohs the eventual win.
Souths couldn’t have started much better, with Tyrone Munro grabbing a tenth-minute four-pointer and impressive halfback Jamie Humphreys adding the extras for a 6-0 lead.
Though Jamayne Isaako hit back shortly after for the visitors, the winger’s wayward conversion still meant that the Rabbitohs held a two-point lead.
And that was extended to eight when Munro dotted down for his second just after the midway point in the first half.
Trailing 12-4 at half-time, the Dolphins rallied at the start of the second half, with Isaako grabbing his second and Max Plath getting in on the act moments later.
Though Isaako couldn’t convert his own effort, the Dolphins star was on target for Plath’s, with Kristian Woolf’s men now leading 14-12 as the contest entered the final quarter.
However, up stepped Tass to make it a successful homecoming for Bennett in an iconic encounter.
The match was initially to be a home Dolphins fixture, but was reversed due to a cyclone affecting Queensland. Dolphins will host the round-17 fixture instead.
RABBITOHS: 1 Jye Gray, 2 Isaiah Tass, 3 Jack Wighton, 4 Campbell Graham, 5 Tyrone Munro, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Jamie Humphreys, 8 Sean Keppie, 9 Peter Mamouzelos, 10 Davvy Moale, 11 Keaon Koloamatangi, 12 Jai Arrow, 13 Lachlan Hubner. Subs (all used): 14 Jayden Sullivan, 15 Siliva Havili, 16 Tallis Duncan, 17 Tevita Tatola
Tries: Munro (11, 25), Tass (68); Goals: Humphreys 2/4
DOLPHINS: 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2 Jamayne Isaako, 3 Jake Averillo, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 5 Junior Tupou, 20 Sean O’Sullivan, 7 Isaiya Katoa, 8 Daniel Saifiti, 9 Jeremy Marshall-King, 10 Felise Kaufusi, 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 12 Max Plath, 13 Tom Gilbert. Subs (all used): 14 Kurt Donoghoe, 15 Connelly Lemuelu, 17 Ray Stone, 19 Josh Kerr
Tries: Isaako (21, 48) Plath (53); Goals: Isaako 1/3
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-4, 12-4; 12-8, 12-14, 16-14
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Rabbitohs: Jamie Humphreys; Dolphins: Tom Gilbert
Penalty count: 5-5; Half-time: 12-4; Referee: Adam Gee; Attendance: 6,738