Rabbitohs Overcome Injury Crisis to Down Roosters

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have defeated their local rivals the Sydney Roosters in what was an incredibly brave effort from the Boys from Maroubra.

The Rabbitohs lost Jamie Humphreys, Cody Walker and Mikaele Ravalawa throughout the course of the match - all to hamstring injuries - to finish the game with just one fit player on the bench.

South Sydney showed amazing determination and resilience in the face of the immense setbacks they were forced to overcome.

In the end it was returning superstar Latrell Mitchell who took control of the match to steer his side to victory, producing an incredible final 10 minutes of football - including setting up the winning try - to seal the result for South Sydney.

The Rabbitohs were forced to absorb a big blow early, with halfback Humphreys coming from the field due to a hamstring injury, to be replaced by Jayden Sullivan off the bench after just five minutes.

Despite the setback, South Sydney still enjoyed a glut of possession in the opening exchanges, thanks to errors and ill-discipline from the Roosters.

Unfortunately, they were unable to take advantage of their early opportunities, with the Roosters opening the scoring against the run of play in the eighth minute through a solo effort from Sandon Smith close to the line.

Another error from the Roosters saw South Sydney set up camp once again in the attacking zone. This time they were able to capitalise, with Lachlan Hubner putting Tevita Tatola through a gap to score his first try since round 21 2022.

The Rabbitohs continued to receive opportunities off the back of errors from Sydney. Latrell Mitchell looked to have found his way to the line from dummy half to extend South Sydney’s lead, before the bunker intervened after identifying a knock on from Mitchell in the put down.

A high tackle on Peter Mamouzelos by James Tedesco saw the Rabbitohs awarded a penalty in kicking range just six minutes before halftime. Mitchell stepped up to send the ball through the posts, giving his side the lead for the first time.

This would prove to be the final scoring play of the half, with South Sydney taking an 8-6 lead into the break.

South Sydney suffered another massive blow during halftime, with captain and five-eighth Cody Walker failing to return to the field due to hamstring tightness. This forced coach Wayne Bennett to shift Latrell Mitchell to five eighth, and Tallis Duncan into the centres.

The Roosters struck first in the second half, retaking the lead 10-8 with a try in the corner to Billy Smith in the 45th minute.

Things then went from bad to worse for the Red and Green, as winger Mikaele Ravalawa limped from the field in the 48th minute with yet another hamstring issue (South Sydney’s third for the game). Jack Wighton went out to the wing to cover Ravalawa, with Jai Arrow joining fellow backrower Duncan in the centres.

The Roosters were able to take advantage of the Rabbitohs’ unfavourable circumstances, with Dom Young crossing to extend his side’s lead to 14-8.

Down on troops with their backs against the wall, it was replacement halfback Sullivan who stood up to be counted for South Sydney, splitting the Roosters’ defence with a beautiful dummy and run before drawing in Tedesco to send Jye Gray over untouched, putting the scores at 14 apiece with 15 to go.

Latrell Mitchell then took matters into his own hands for the Cardinal and Myrtle, sending an absolute bullet of a pass to Isaiah Tass on the wing who scored in the corner for an 18-14 lead.

With ice water flowing through his veins, Mitchell then slotted the conversion from the touch line, putting the Rabbitohs six points ahead with ten minutes to go.

From here, the Rabbitohs were able to subdue the Roosters' attack, defending their way to a famous victory in the final few minutes with a full time score of 20-14.

Match Snapshot

• Jamie Humphreys left the field after five minutes due to a hamstring injury.
• The Roosters opened the scoring through Sandon Smith in the eighth minute.
• South Sydney hit back through Tevita Tatola four minutes later.
• The Rabbitohs take the lead 8-6 thanks to a penalty goal from Latrell Mitchell in the 34th minute.
• Cody Walker failed to return for the second half, succumbing to hamstring tightness during the break.
• The Roosters regained the lead with a try to Billy Smith in the 45th minute.
• Mikaele Ravalawa was the third Rabbitoh to injure his hamstring, leaving the field in the 48th minute.
• The Roosters drew further ahead through Dom Young in the 53rd minute.
• South Sydney drew back level when Jayden Sullivan and Jye Gray combined for a try in the 64th minute.
• The Rabbitohs retook the lead in the 70th minute through Isaiah Tass, who capitalised on a beautiful cut out ball from Latrell Mitchell.
• Mitchel nailed the ensuing conversion in what was the last scoring play of the game, leaving the scores at 20-14.

Play of the Game

Tonight's play of the game goes to Jayden Sullivan, who combined with Jye Gray to set up South Sydney's penultimate try of the game. With just one fit player on the bench and having conceded the last two tries, South Sydney were well and truly up against it in this contest. That's exactly when Sullivan decided to put his stamp on the game, taking on the Roosters' defence with an incisive dummy and run, getting through to Tedesco at the back to then send Gray over to bring the scores to 14-all with 15 minutes to go. It proved to be a crucial play from Sullivan, with the Rabbitohs able to seal the victory with another try just a few minutes later.

What’s Next?

South Sydney will play host when they travel to Optus Stadium in Perth to take on the North Queensland Cowboys next Saturday night.