Round 8
Rabbitohs 18 l. Knights 24

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Knights edge out Souths controversially
Sun April 30, 2006
South Sydney came extremely close to their first victory this season but were denied 24-18 with Danny Buderus scoring in the final five minutes to seal Newcastle victory. The Rabbitohs for the 4th time in seven matches felt the wrong end of the stick from referee Jason Robinson as the 50-50 decisions that needed to go their way didn't.

Joe Galuvao got Souths off to a strong start with a try in the 6th minute with Nathan Merritt adding the extras for a 6-0 lead.

Milton Thaiday leveled the scores with a try in the 15th minute and Newcastle went to the lead when George Carmont scored on 24 minutes. The lead up to the Carmont try saw a knock-on from the Knights, which was missed. Souths halfback Ben Walker was warned for dissent when he protested to Robinson.

Buderus scored the first of his two tries 10 minutes into the second half and it looked like that Newcastle would go on with the job after Andrew Johns landed his 3rd successful conversion as the Knights went to an 18-6 lead.

Souths, fed on a new diet of organic food by owners Peter Holmes a Court and Russell Crowe found a new lease of life as they fought hard to get that elusive first victory. Kiwi representative David Faa'logo scored in the 59th minute to get Souths back within a converted try following Merritt's successful conversion.

Matthew Gidley was sent to the sin bin in the 65th minute when he held back Luke MacDougall as he was poised to score following a kick ahead from his brother Adam. It took Souths seven minutes to cash in but they did when Adam MacDougall crashed over outwide. Merritt landed a great sideline goal to level the scores.

Souths were caught in possession on the last tackle on the halfway line with five minutes remaining with Newcastle working the ball up the field setting up for a Johns drop goal only for Buderus to catch the defence napping diving over from dummy half.

The Rabbitohs had a great chance in the final seconds of the match to send the match into Golden Point with Adam MacDougall coming within a millimetre of scoring and only great scrambling Knights defence denying Souths their first points.

Johns played a solid match where he wasn't moving 100% freely but came through unscathed where he'll be a certain starter in the Test match this coming Frisay night.

The Telstra Stadium turf was again very ordinary and officials of Souths, the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers must seriously have a look at their options with the ground still very unsafe to play on.

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