In a gripping encounter at Accor Stadium, the Rabbitohs fell to the Roosters in a tough battle. Leading 14-10 at halftime, the Rabbitohs were well-positioned for a second-half comeback, but the Roosters quickly regained momentum after the break with tries in quick succession. Despite a valiant effort and three late tries in honour of departing players Damien Cook and Thomas Burgess, the Rabbitohs couldn't clinch the victory.
Watched by a large group of family and friends, Nawaqanitawase - nicknamed "Marky Mark" - scored in the seventh minute after leaping above Rabbitohs winger Tyrone Munro to snatch a Luke Keary cross field kick.
Souths hit back when fullback Jye Gray sliced through the defence to score in the 23rd minute after playmaker Cody Walker held up a pass for the rookie speedster.
Walker scored a try of his own in the 34th minute but it was bookended by a double to Roosters winger Fetalaiga Pauga and the visitors led 14-10 at halftime.
The Roosters started the second half with greater intensity and halfback Sandon Smith, making his first appearance in the position this season after the loss of Sam Walker (knee), put Sitili Tupouniua over in the 45th minute.
Captain James Tedesco was the next to score after backing up a break by second-rower Angus Crichton and when Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i crossed in the 51st minute the Roosters stormed to a 30-10 lead.
Tedesco got his second try in the 56th minute and Pauga completed his hat-trick five minutes later but injured his knee and failed to finish the match.
The Rabbitohs did not give up and Munro scored a stunning long range try to give Souths fans something to look forward to next season when Bennett returns.
English prop Tom Burgess finished his career with the club on a high note after scoring in the 75th minute and he went one up on brother Sam by successfully landing the conversion.
Match Snapshot
- Roosters forwards Angus Crichton (forearm) and Sitili Tupouniua (leg pull) were placed on report.
- Rabbitohs playmaker Cody Walker (212) surpassed Bob McCarthy (211) for the sixth most games in the myrtle-and-cardinal jersey.
- Souths farewelled long serving prop Tom Burgess, who has played the second most games (249) for the 1908 foundation club after - 2014 premiership captain John Sutton (336).
- Former NSW Origin hooker Damien Cook also played his last game for he Rabbitohs before rejoining St George Illawarra.
- The Rabbitohs have won only two from 13 against current top eight teams this season.
- The Roosters have won five of their past six games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs halfback Cody Walker has scored eight tries from nine games against the Roosters at Accor Stadium.
- Rabbitohs prop Sean Keppie played his 100th NRL game, while Tongan forward Siliva Havili played his 150th.
