Round 6
North Queensland Cowboys 6 l. South Sydney Rabbitohs 10

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

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

Rabbitohs sneak thriller
Mon April 23, 2007
South Sydney has snuck home in a thriller at Townsville with a 10-6 victory over North Queensland Cowboys. In a tough encounter epitomised by excellent defensive efforts by both teams, the Rabbitohs broke a two game losing streak whilst the Cowboys lost their second straight.

The opening was initially played at a furious pace as both teams sought to leave their mark on the game. The defence was outstanding in defusing multiple attacking raids from both sides, which didn't see the first points scored till the 31st minute when Cowboys veteran Paul Bowman found crashed over near the sideline. An expert goal kick from the sideline courtesy of Johnathan Thurston saw the hosts lead 6-0. It appeared the scoreline would remain this way into the break, until Shannon Hegarty was the recipient of some outstanding lead up work to open Souths' account seconds before half-time. Joe Williams missed his conversion opportunity to leave the score at 6-4 in favour of North Queensland.

The second half replicated the first, where enthusiastic defence overrode any attacking opportunities that were presented. However, as the game wore on, mistakes and poor ball security became increasingly prominent. In the 57th minute Souths capitalised with a Joe Williams grubber kick finding try scoring dynamo Nathan Merritt in the corner to hand the visitors the lead which was extended by two with an outstanding sideline conversion from Williams.

Despite numerous other chances for both teams, the scoreline would remain at 10-6 till full-time. The enthusiastic nature of the defensive work from both teams was a joy to behold along with the attacking nature through which the game operated. In a worry for the Cowboys, utility David Faiumu suffered a possible knee injury that forced him to be stretchered away from the field of play. Souths received a massive scare when their New Zealand prop Roy Asotasi appeared in real distress in the first half, but were relieved to find he recovered to take his part in the second half of proceedings.

The result has created a log-jam at the top. With Manly and Melbourne runaway leaders, the Rabbitohs, Cowboys and Warriors (courtesy of the bye) are separated by a mere one point differential. Tonight's win will certainly ease the pressure on the Rabbitohs, and may turn the knives towards Townsville.


Simmonds replaces injured Gordon, Sutton on the bench
Tue April 17, 2007
Source: www.souths.com.au

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce their side to take on the North Queensland Cowboys in round six of the NRL Telstra Premiership this Monday, 23 April at 7pm at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

Reece Simmonds will make his debut for the Rabbitohs when he replaces the injured Yileen Gordon. Luke Stuart will start in the second-row with Dean Widders shifting to lock and John Sutton starting from the interchange bench. Manase Manuokafoa will play his first game in the NRL for season 2007 from the interchange bench this Monday.

The referee for this fixture is Ben Cummins. The sideline officials are Matt Cecchin and Alan Shortall. The video referee is Chris Ward.

The Rabbitohs NRL side is:

1. David Peachey
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Nigel Vagana
4. Shannon Hegarty
5. Reece Simmonds
6. Jeremy Smith
7. Joe Williams
8. Peter Cusack (c)
9. Daniel Irvine
10. Roy Asotasi
11. Luke Stuart
12. David Fa'alogo
13. Dean Widders

Interchange:
14. Shane Rigon
15. John Sutton
16. Manase Manuokafoa
17. Jaiman Lowe

Coach - Jason Taylor

News sent by: www.souths.com.au

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