Round 3
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16 l. South Sydney Rabbitohs 26

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Souths make it three from three - first time since 1972
Sat March 31, 2007
Glory, Glory to South Sydney as they've made it three wins from their first three matches and it's the first time they've achieved that since 1972 as they defeated Cronulla 26-16 tonight at Toyota Park.

Souths owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court made the fearless prediction before the season that the Good Friday clash against the Bulldogs this coming week could be the first club round game in Sydney to draw over 50,000 for a very long-time and their predictions could be closer to the mark. Only the Bulldogs poor form to date is going to cost the match blockbuster and massive crowd status and the revival of the Rabbitohs is going to be the positive talking point this week.

It's been bleak times for the Red and Green's since the 1990 decade began with the ultimate lowlight coming when they were excluded from the competition after the 1999 season. The Rabbitohs came back into big time in 2002 and their time has been plagued by on field struggles and off field dramas where in the five seasons they came last on three occasions and second last on the other two. The Souths members to their credit and excellent vision voted in the 'Yes' ticket of Crowe and Holmes a Court ending the negative regime of George Piggins in what has been the best decision made by the Souths members in their illustrious history.

Crowe and Holmes a Court put the broom through Souths and brought to the new age of professionalism and facilities and the Rabbitohs were not only able to compete at an even level with the other clubs, they were infact becoming the leaders in many areas.

Souths were never in trouble against Cronulla tonight being in complete control of the match after an excellent start based upon controlled sets and good disciplined.

David Peachey playing against his old club scored the opening try in the 7th minute and it was converted by Joe Williams for the Rabbitohs to lead 6-0.

Nathan Merritt crossed for the Rabbitohs second try in the 17th minute with the Sharks right side defence caught short to push Souths further ahead. Williams was unable to convert but on the set of six from the restart Peter Cusack cut the Sharks defence open up the middle finding Peachey in support who passed it onto Daniel Irvine who scored under the posts. Williams added the extras as Souths raced away to a 16-0 lead.

Luke Covell got the Sharks on the board in the 33rd minute when he jumped above a back-peddling Paul Mellor following a well timed cross-field kick from Brett Kimmorley. Covell's conversion attempt was wide of the posts.

More Merritt brilliance moments later had Souths in yet again. Merritt found himself in open space and cruised past the Sharks cover defence to score another fantastic try. Merritt was a lone hand for Souths last year and with better players around him is showing his class even more now. Williams missed with the conversion as Souths led 20-4 and the score remained that way until half-time.

Isaac De Gois began a Sharks revival in the 54th minute when he scored, which was converted by Covell bringing the Sharks back within ten points.

David Kidwell snuffed out any chance of a Sharks comeback with a strong try in the 61st minute and Williams landed the goal to push the Sharks up 26-10.

Although with Penrith storming home the way they did last night, no match is ever safe and the Rabbitohs defence held very firm until the final two minutes when Fraser Anderson crossed over with Covell adding the two points.

Souths are now three from three and their big gun signings of Kidwell, Roy Asotasi, Nigel Vagana and Dean Widders are all delivering. It's been the lesser known signings of Irvine and Jeremy Smith that are proving to be a huge bonus giving the Rabbitohs plenty of spark and thrive in the hooker and halves positions. The blossoming of Williams as a halfback and kicker has been an even bigger plus on top of the signings.

The Rabbitohs will be at home on Good Friday where a 4th win is on the cards as they come up against the out of form Bulldogs who have lost their previous three premiership matches and will be up against an inform Gold Coast Titans outfit tomorrow before they even think about the Rabbitohs clash where a crowd of at least 40,000 will be in attendance providing the weather is clear.


Rabbitohs unchanged for the third week in a row
Tue March 27, 2007
Source: www.souths.com.au

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce their side to take on the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks in round three of the NRL Telstra Premiership this Saturday, 31 March at 7:30pm at Toyota Park.

The Rabbitohs have named an unchanged line up to that which has played in the previous two weeks resulting in wins over the Parramatta Eels and the Sydney Roosters.

Rabbitohs' Reece Simmonds (small fracture through the wrist - 1 week) and Stuart Webb (contusion to his ribs - 1 week) were not considered for selection due to injury. Webb will be reviewed at the end of the week and will hopefully be available for selection in round four.

The referee for this fixture is Paul Simpkins. The sideline officials are Michael Jones and Darren Lang.

The video referee is Chris Ward.

The Rabbitohs NRL side is:

1. David Peachey
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Nigel Vagana
4. Shannon Hegarty
5. Paul Mellor
6. Jeremy Smith
7. Joe Williams
8. Peter Cusack (c)
9. Daniel Irvine
10. Roy Asotasi
11. David Kidwell (c)
12. David Fa'alogo
13. John Sutton

Subs:
14. Shane Rigon
15. Dean Widders
16. Luke Stuart
17. Scott Geddes

Coach:
Jason Taylor

News sent by: www.souths.com.au

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