Vs Canberra ANZ Sunday 2.00pm

[Newcastlerabbit]

We must lift, says Rabbitohs coach

Breaking News Sport National Sport League News
Date March 28, 2014 - 11:39AM

Facing the worst losing streak of his South Sydney tenure, coach Michael Maguire admits the Rabbitohs must get their whole shop in order to return the NRL winners' list.
Pulling no punches after his much-fancied team's scratchy start to the season, Maguire says Souths' defence, discipline and ball control were all substandard in last weekend's 25-16 loss to Wests Tigers.
He said anything less than a vastly improved performance would result in another defeat against Canberra at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
Such a result would mean three consecutive losses for Maguire for the first time since replacing John Lang as coach in 2012.
"We haven't had the two results we would have liked the last two weeks and we're working hard and doing all the preparation to get the result we're after," Maguire said on Friday.
"We've put our heads down and we're looking at the things we judge as our standards and we want to make sure we're hitting those this week.
"There were a lot of areas of our game that we went away from, but I thought the defence was the biggest thing that we lacked.
"As much as we had the ball at times, we kept dropping it. So we had to do a lot of defence and unfortunately that fatigue hurt us, but that's no excuse."
Canberra have also opened 2014 with just one win from three starts, but Maguire knows the Raiders have the ability to carve up any opposition if fleet-footed fullback Anthony Milford and classy centre Jarrod Croker are allowed to run free.
"Milford's a quality player, very quick, so we're going to be very aware of where he is on the field," he said.
"But they've got a lot of quality across the park.
"They've obviously got a fair forward pack - large in size - so it's going to be a good battle there, and young Croker, he's playing some good footy as well.
"They're feeding early ball to him so I'd imagine they're going to give him some opportunity when they have the ball."
The Rabbitohs lost all attacking structure after Greg Inglis was KO'd in the opening minutes against the Tigers, but the star fullback will be back on deck on Sunday.
"He's trained the back end of the week and trained really well, so we're looking forward to having him out there," Maguire said.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/we-must-lift-says-rabbitohs-coach-20140328-35n3b.html

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

NRL & NYC Previews - Rd 4, 2014

Words: Tom Skolarikis I Photos: Nrlphotos.com
Fri 28th March, 04:00PM
A A http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/_jcr_content/par/newslist_95ce.rss

Rabbitohs v Raiders
ANZ Stadium
Kick-off: Sunday 2pm
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will take on the Canberra Raiders this Sunday in a round four clash that is shaping as a must win for both sides. Both clubs come into the match having won just one game apiece.
But neither side has yet shown their full potential in 2014, meaning Sunday afternoon’s game will be the perfect opportunity to do just that. The Rabbitohs and Raiders have met on 47 occasions, with the men from the Nation’s Capital holding a slight advantage with 27 wins to Souths’ 20 – four of those matches being finals.
South Sydney will be aided by the return of Chris McQueen and Dylan Walker – both of whom played in round one but have since missed ensuing matches owing to injury. Walker’s addition will return the Rabbitohs’ back-line to normality with the live-wire returning to the number six.
"I'm enjoying it there," said Walker.
"It's like going back to old roots - I played all my junior footy there, so enjoying my time there and enjoying the boys giving me the moral support."
Walker also admitted to feeling inspired that Coach Michael Maguire had insitilled a great level of trust in the Souths Junior to take on the position.
"It's pretty inspiring that he believes in me," admitted Walker.
To watch the full interview with Walker, please click here.
Maguire has named his strongest available squad, following the injury to Issac Luke (approximately 10 weeks), with Fijian hooker, Apisai Koroisau, set to make his debut in the number nine in place of the the Kiwi rake.
To see Maguire’s line-up for the match against the Raiders, please click here.
While the loss of Luke will change the make-up of the Rabbitohs’ attack, fullback Greg Inglis is certain that Koroisau has the goods to succeed in first grade.
“If you had a glimpse at what he can do at the World Cup –he’s well capable of filling that spot,” said Inglis.
“He’s a talented player and there’s no doubt about that. I think he’s going to send a few shockwaves and put some pressure on Issac to be honest.”
Michael Maguire is under no illusions as to the task ahead of his side, citing the Raiders as a dangerous outfit boasting the likes of in-form full-back Anthony Milford among others.
“They've obviously got a lot of quality across the park as well - they've got a fair forward pack - large in size - and young Croker is playing good footy as well."
To watch the full interview with Maguire, please click here.

Recent History
The Rabbitohs and Raiders last met in round 16 of the 2013 season at ANZ Stadium – the Rabbitohs running away 32-2 victors to extend their competition lead at the time to five points in what was their 13th win of the season.
Canberra took no chances with the first placed Rabbits early, with a penalty for offside within kicking distance enough to get the Raiders on the board in the fifth minute. Centre Jarrod Croker slotted the two-pointer to give the visitors an early 2-0 lead. But the Raiders would not score again, while the Rabbitohs went on with the job.
Some fancy footwork from Adam Reynolds close to the line set up a converted try for Sam Burgess under the posts, giving the home-side the lead for the first time in the match.

From the ensuing set, Nathan Merritt broke clear through the Raiders’ line, but was caught just short by Raiders fullback and Souths Junior Reece Robinson. A penalty to Souths one tackle later gave Justin Hunt an opportunity to slide in to the corner to extend Souths’ lead to 10-2 – Reynolds having missed the conversion from the touch-line.

Issac Luke broke the points drought ten minutes before the break with a sneaky try from dummy-half close to the line catching the Raiders’ defence napping. Reynolds converted from close range to extend the lead to 16-2 leading into half time.

From Origin opponents on the previous Wednesday night, to teammates for the Rabbits on the weekend, Nathan Merritt and Greg Inglis combined in the 60th minute, with Inglis putting a perfect pass on to Merritt’s chest to send the flying finisher over in the corner. Reynolds converted for Souths to lead 22-2.

But the men in red and green weren’t done yet, with Bryson Goodwin touching down in the corner after taking a quick pass from dummy half down the blind side. Reynolds again added the extras to give Souths a 26-6 lead with just under 15 minutes to go.

The Rabbitohs were still not content though, with replacement winger Justin Hunt showing great vision to chip in to the in goal from 40 metres out for the flying Dylan Walker to touch down. Bryson Goodwin converted for to seal the match for the Rabbitohs by 32-2.

Keys to Victory
For the Rabbitohs, one thing will have to be rectified immediately – dominance in the forwards. The men in the middle copped an uncharacteristic battering from the Tigers in round three that saw only Sam Burgess surpass the 100 metre mark for the match. But it wasn’t just their ability to make yards that was affected. Mentally, the Tigers got on top of the red and greens as well as physically. If the Rabbits are to be any chance of victory, a renewed and refreshed enthusiasm in the forwards will need to be at the forefront of their performance.
The containment of Anthony Milford though will be just as important. Milford has racked up a season-high 18 tackle-breaks in three games, running an average of 143 metres per game, with one try and two try assists. If the Raiders are looking for a game-breaker it will more than likely come in the form of the Raiders’ custodian.

Key Matchups
Sam Burgess v Brett White

It’s two international grade props coming together at club level. But while Brett White hasn’t played an international match since 2009, his go-forward is a vital cog for the Raiders every week. Burgess by comparison racks up the miles, but also adds some x-factor to the Rabbitohs’ forwards. His ability to get an offload away while also being able to play on the fringes gives him an edge over the more traditional style of play brought to the table by White.

Nathan Merritt v Reece Robinson

They may be cousins, but they’ll be facing off from opposite sides of half-way come Sunday. When it comes to Merritt and Robinson though, the stats don’t quite say it all. Merritt has been a mainstay at the Rabbitohs for close to a decade and has presence in any Rabbitohs side produces an air of security – especially under the high ball. Robinson’s running game however is his main feature, regularly turning defences inside out with his fluid stride and step.

Pre-purchase To Save Time & Money
Make sure you take advantage of our special $40 general admission family pass offer for 2 adults & 2 kids to this Family Fun Day Sunday and don’t forget you save up to $10 per ticket across all categories* when you pre-purchase your tickets to Sunday’s clash against the Raiders!
*Does not include the already discounted $40 Family Pass
How to purchase tickets:
Online: Click here
Phone: 132 849
In Person: Click here
For all match day information, please click here.

Rabbitohs v Raiders
ANZ Stadium
Kick-off: Sunday 11.40am
The Rabbitohs’ NYC squad’s winning start to the season came to an end against the Wests Tigers last Friday night, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
With a depleted outfit bereft of experienced campaigners such as Alex Johnston, Cameron McInnes and Aaron Gray, the NYC side put up a courageous fight to be on the wrong end of a 26-16 point score-line.
For Rabbitohs NYC Coach Ben Gardiner, missing players the calibre of the aforementioned didn’t help the final result last week, but the mentor is confident that those players who have stepped into their shoes will be equal to the task given more game-time.
“It’s important to get that game-time up for some of these other boys,” said Gardiner.
“The loss was disappointing, but I think we showed plenty of promise last week, and much of that comes on the back of the confidence that these younger boys showed in stepping up.”
The Raiders have won just one game so far in 2014, so will be hungry for their first win of the new-year.
Danger-man – Irae Simone

He’s been among the most dangerous of the Rabbitohs’ NYC contingent in recent weeks, and after last week’s loss, Irae Simone will be seeking a way to atone.
Against the Tigers, Simone raced in two tries while also knocking over two goals – accounting for 12 of the Rabbitohs’ 16 points. But it’s been his general play that has been most impressive.
Partnering talented half Wallace Tangiiti at five eighth, Simone has set up some brilliant plays for his side that have often resulted in four-pointers.
The crafty pivot is also an accomplished goal-kicker with nerves of steel – it was Simone who kicked his side to victory after full time from the side-line against the Roosters in round one. Look to him to spark something if needed, but also look to him when all the team needs is a calming influence

Pre-purchase To Save Time & Money
Make sure you take advantage of our special $40 general admission family pass offer for 2 adults & 2 kids to this Family Fun Day Sunday and don’t forget you save up to $10 per ticket across all categories* when you pre-purchase your tickets to Sunday’s clash against the Raiders!
*Does not include the already discounted $40 Family Pass
How to purchase tickets:
Online: Click here
Phone: 132 849
In Person: Click here
For all match day information, please click here.

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/03/28/nrl_nyc_previews_rd_4_2014.html

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Dylan Walker's school work gets a gold star from Souths

League News
Date March 28, 2014 - 5:04PM

• (0)
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Daniel Lane




Master and pupil: Dylan Walker watched Adam Reynolds a lot at Matraville High. Photo: Anthony Johnson


Souths supporters ought to take some comfort before Sunday's match against Canberra, knowing their star halfback Adam Reynolds may as well have been an elective subject for fill-in five-eighth Dylan Walker during his time at Matraville High.
An injured ankle ruled him out of last Friday's loss to the Wests Tigers, but the 19-year-old, who is expected to partner Reynolds in the Rabbitohs' halves, said he could never have realised how crucial those afternoons he had spent studying Reynolds' game would prove to be.
"We went to school together so I grew up watching him play and he's been such a good player over the years," Walker said. "He was a lot older than I was so I was just watching him go through the years.
"He was a little bit smaller when he was younger, he was only a little pup, about 68 kilos I think he was telling me. He's probably beefed up in size since then.
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"We [never played together at school but we] used to talk. The head coach there, he used to bring me up to train with the older boys to get among them. We've had a relationship since school but now we play together and train together, so, yeah, I believe [the onfield understanding] is getting stronger."
Walker, who usually played in the centres, was pitchforked into the No.6 after another young gun – and good mate – Luke Keary suffered a pectoral injury during the Auckland Nines. He said his days in the old school yard made what should have been a daunting task – partnering one of the NRL's best halfbacks – easier.
"Seeing him make it in that team when he was at school, a lot of the boys played grade, it inspired me to go along and play first grade as well," he said. "[My time with Reynolds on the school footy oval] was a bit more of mucking around, I like to look at things and how they go and I just pick up on things I see."
Walker believed that principle could be applied in first grade.
"It's new for me, new for him as well, we just need to get a better understanding around each other," he said of playing alongside Reynolds.
"The more I play, the more confidence I'm going to get out of it, playing alongside 'Reno' and all the other boys, the longer I train and play there the better it will be."
Meanwhile, Souths fullback Greg Inglis said the Rabbitohs team that was ranked premiership contenders before the season started had been "woken" after last week's shock loss to the Wests Tigers.
"Our boys here have really woken up," Inglis said of the impact of their last defeat. "A wake-up call to be honest. Everyone has been back at training and hard work this week
"We just got shaken up by a well-drilled Tigers. They just played footy when we didn't."



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...from-souths-20140328-zqo3m.html#ixzz2xFBKRTyf

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

McQueen ready for Souths provocation

Sport League News National Breaking News Sport
Date March 29, 2014 - 10:37AM

• (2)
• Read later

Ian McCullough





South Sydney's Chris McQueen has warned opposing teams provoking the Rabbitohs' giant forwards shouldn't be used as a tactic to try to beat them.
Souths face a Canberra side with a huge pack on Sunday at ANZ Stadium and Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is sure to have taken note of how the Wests Tigers wound up the Bunnies' big men George and Sam Burgess on their way to a 25-16 triumph last Friday.
However, Queensland back-rower McQueen said lessons were learned from that loss, which saw three players charged by the match review committee, and said coach Michael Maguire this week drove home the importance of maintaining discipline.
"They got under our skin a bit and we've had a talk about that," McQueen said.
"We love that aggression and want to keep it, but we have to be smarter with it.
"We are aware that teams are trying to get to us. But we are fine with that sort of thing.
"If that's what they want to do then we're not worried by it and happy to let them do that."
Souths face a Raiders side that are a byword for inconsistency having followed up a fine win in Newcastle with an insipid second-half display in losing at home to the Gold Coast last Sunday.
Defeat for the Rabbitohs, would be the first time since Maguire's arrival in 2012 they will have lost three on the spin.
Although Greg Inglis has recovered from the concussion that saw his withdrawn after five minutes against the Tigers, but Souths are without Issac Luke, who's recovering from a shoulder injury that will sideline him for at least a month.
Rookie rake Apisai Koroisau will make his NRL debut on Sunday and having helped Fiji reach the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup, there's plenty of confidence at Redfern that he can fill the big hole left by Luke's absence.
Earlier this week Inglis, who faced Koroisau twice in Australia's successful World Cup campaign, said the 22-year-old is good enough to potentially usurp the New Zealand international as the No.1 hooker.
And Maguire shares his fullback's confidence and has no concerns about putting him straight in the side.
"Issac is a big loss," Maguire said.
"But it's also an opportunity for young Api. He's been very patient, working very very hard behind Isaac.
"He fully deserves and opportunity and he's going to come in and do a great job."

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/mcqueen-ready-for-souths-provocation-20140329-35pil.html

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Six Reasons to Be at ANZ Stadium on Sunday


Sat 29th March, 08:30AM
A A http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/_jcr_content/par/newslist_95ce.rss

Need a few reasons to get out to ANZ Stadium and see your South Sydney Rabbitohs do battle with the Canberra Raiders this Sunday? We have six right here for you!
It won’t just be a day of footy on Sunday, with a range of other activities taking place, making ANZ Stadium the scene for a day packed with ‘family Fun’!
The boys can’t ear you cheering from your lounge, so hop on a FREE train (with your pre-purchased ticket) to ANZ Stadium and throw your support behind the mighty red and greens in the best way possible!
For all match day information, including how to pre-purchase your tickets, please click here.
Here are six reasons for you to be there in round four!

The Family Fun
Sunday is Family Fun Day at the footy! Start the school holidays early and take the kids out for an afternoon of family fun – Rabbitohs style.
General Public Tickets are on sale now and include a special Family Pass for just $40 including 2 adults and 2 children general admission tickets.
Colgate Kidzone will also be Super Charged so make sure you take advantage of our special $40 Family pass and bring the whole family to enjoy the action.
With additional activities including the Try Scorer Bungee, Airbrush Tattoos and Kids Zoo all part of this Sunday’s Kidszone, there’s even more reasons to come and join in the fun!
Bring the kids along to the South West Terrace (accessed via the stairs at Aisle 134) as well as the Southern Concourse (behind GA seating) from Gates Open until NRL kick off to enjoy the following FREE entertainment and activities for kids of all ages!
Kidzone Activities include:
· Balloon Artists
· Jumping Castle
· Try Scorer Bungee
· Reggie Rabbit Appearance
· Player Autograph session
· Colouring-in competition
· Face painting
· Airbrush Tattoos
· Caricature Artist
· Kids Zoo
Click here to purchase tickets, or call Ticketek on 132 849.

Witness The Milestones
Rabbitohs Captain John Sutton will equal the Club’s all-time appearance record against the Raiders this Sunday in a truly historic moment.
Sutton will join Club legend Bob McCarthy on 211 Rabbitohs games when he steps onto the turf at Homebush in what is an outstanding milestone.
But this Sunday could also see the breaking of a Rabbitohs record if Nathan Merritt scores a try! Merritt currently sits on 144 tries in the red and green – equal with Club legend Benny Wearing.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of history and be able to say ‘I was there when!’

Watch the 1989 Minor Premiership-Winning Team Go Round!
Captained by Mario Fenech, the team will include some of the Rabbitohs greatest legends from the ‘89 Minor Premiership winning team, lacing up the boots for another big game for the mighty red and green against an ALCATEL ONETOUCH team featuring seven lucky Rabbitohs Members.

It’s your chance to finally see all those famous names from yester-year lace up the boots and don the red and green again!

Win the Chance to Watch the Rabbitohs in Perth
Rabbitohs Members who attend the game on Sunday will go into the draw to win one of two trips for two to the Rabbitohs v Warriors match in Round 13 at nib Stadium in Perth including:
· Return economy airfares for two people from Sydney to Perth
· 1 night twin share accommodation
· Return airport to hotel transfers in Perth
The two lucky winners will be contacted by a Rabbitohs Staff member. For Terms and Conditions please click here.

The Free Rail
Free rail transport is included with all tickets to 2014 NRL Telstra Premiership games at ANZ Stadium, meaning that Ticketed Members with access to this game, as well as pre-purchased ticket holders, will be able to travel free of charge on rail to Sydney Olympic Park.
Two direct services will leave Central station at 1:00pm and 1:15pm, stopping at Redfern, Strathfield and Olympic Park.
Those travelling from other locations should change trains at Lidcombe where a direct shuttle train operates every 10 minutes.
Sydney Trains are running to a regular Sunday timetable. For further timetable information, click here.

The History
The Canberra Raiders may have only entered the competition in 1982, but in that comparatively small space of time in the scheme of the game’s 106 year history in Australia, the Rabbitohs and Raiders have built a rivalry that runs as deep as any in the game.
Since that first day in 1982, the Rabbitohs and Raiders have met on 47 occasions, with the men from the Nation’s Capital holding a slight advantage with 27 wins to Souths’ 20 – four of those matches being finals.
The first seeds of the story were sewn on the 27th Februray, 1982, when the newly-formed Canberra Raiders began their first ever Premiership campaign against the Rabbitohs in round one at the imposing Redfern Oval.
To read more about the rivalry, please click here.

Pre-purchase To Save Time & Money
Make sure you take advantage of our special $40 general admission family pass offer for 2 adults & 2 kids to this Family Fun Day Sunday and don’t forget you save up to $10 per ticket across all categories* when you pre-purchase your tickets to Sunday’s clash against the Raiders!
*Does not include the already discounted $40 Family Pass
How to purchase tickets:
Online: Click here
Phone: 132 849
In Person: Click here
For all match day information, please click here.

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/03/29/six_reasons_to_be_at_anz_stadium_on_sunday.html

 

[tbunny]

Rabble. Won't make the 8.

 

[drago brelli]

Jump on board now 'Pride of the League' fans..........that young Waterhouse bloke is offering $1.05 for Souths to get the spoon in '14.

 

[ek999]

Watch the 1989 Minor Premiership-Winning Team Go Round!
Captained by Mario Fenech, the team will include some of the Rabbitohs greatest legends from the ?89 Minor Premiership winning team, lacing up the boots for another big game for the mighty red and green against an ALCATEL ONETOUCH team featuring seven lucky Rabbitohs Members.

It?s your chance to finally see all those famous names from yester-year lace up the boots and don the red and green again!

Would of been better to send them out in first grade

 

[ripthebodyhookthehead]

Trouble in the club clearly visible today. Sam Burgess leaving has caused a rift.
Sutton must go to 5/8. Walker to the Centres. Tuquiri was dreadful. Long odds to make the eight without Luke.

 

[drago brelli]

To win the comp your team must be in the 4. Souths probably won't make the 4 but you can make the 8. The whole league world and souths fans knew that Souths without Luke would struggle. In Souths favour is that the favourites keep getting beaten each week. Brisbane and Manly look to be the standouts so far.

 

[canberra_raiders2k2]

Had nothing to do with Luke being injured. The pack just gets dominated too easily. Also Inglis is barely used.

 

[hunters]

No visible structure today. We missed Luke immensely, Apisai was fairly quiet really and the service was slow.

As was said, Sutton needs to go back to 5/8 and a few young blokes must be close.

Tyrrell, Lowe and picker all provide nothing at all.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Burgess denies talk of rift at Souths

By Ian McCullough
AAP
7:30pm Sun 30th March, 2014

http://www.nrl.com/tabid/10639/default.aspx


Star Rabbitohs prop Sam Burgess, signed to play rugby next year, has denied there is a rift between him and teammates at South Sydney. Copyright: Robb Cox/NRL Photos

Sam Burgess has quashed rumours of discontent in the South Sydney camp and denied the team's in crisis following a third straight defeat.
The Rabbitohs were downed 30-18 by Canberra at ANZ Stadium on Sunday following a woeful first-half performance that saw them trail 22-0 at the break.
Burgess, who'll quit the NRL at the end of the year to play rugby in England, said report of an off-season rift in the camp involving him and his teammates was untrue.
"I was away for most of it with the rugby league World Cup," Burgess said.
"But there's always talk, I don't even know what's said about us and to be honest I am not that fussed about what's written.

"There's no problem within the team. But I guess there will be a few more things written now we've lost three in a row.
"But I can clearly say the group is as tight as it's been and we hope to turn this around as quickly as possible."
Souths coach Michael Maguire said the performance against the Raiders and last week's loss to the Wests Tigers were as bad as it's been since his arrival at the club in 2012.
Sunday's defeat was the first time he's lost three games in a row as coach but remained confident he could lift his players from their current malaise and stop the rot.
"We just have to look at the things that have worked for us," Maguire said.
"Confidence can come back very quickly. When you play with confidence like we have in the past things work.
"Things at the moment aren't gelling for us, and we need to find ways of getting better."
Souths face St George Illawarra at the SCG next Saturday in what's shaping up as a crucial test of their premiership aspirations.
The foundation club have not won a competition since 1971 and have been one game away from the grand final for the last two seasons.
"It's a big one, but every game is a big one now, especially when you have lost the last three," Burgess said.
"We just have to get back on the training paddock and work hard."
Burgess also backed Adam Reynolds to recapture the form that saw him tipped as the next NSW halfback.
The 23-year-old has struggled to inspire his side's attack this year and was completely outplayed by opposite number Terry Campese on Sunday.
"The boys support him, Adam is a great kid and he will come out on the other end of it.
"He's a great competitor and everyone believes in him, as he does himself. We've just got to hold onto the ball and make his life a bit easier."
Ricky Stuart was delighted with the way his side bounced back from a dismal display against the Gold Coast last week and said he expects his players to maintain the standards they showed against Souths.
"We've got to expect to win," Stuart said.
"Outside the game against the Gold Coast when we were poor, we've been very strong, even when we lost to the Cowboys in Townsville.
"But we have to prepare to win every week and play like this every week.
"But we'll be alright."
"I think as a group we're pretty tight and we understand it's a popular sport and things are going to be written.


http://www.nrl.com/burgess-denies-talk-of-rift-at-souths/tabid/10874/newsid/77233/default.aspx

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Merritt no-try ruling lifted Canberra spirits

By Chris Kennedy, National Correspondent
NRL.com
7:25pm Sun 30th March, 2014

http://www.nrl.com/tabid/10639/default.aspx


Veteran Raiders prop Brett White takes a hit-up during his side's romping win over the Rabbitohs on Sunday. Copyright: Robb Cox/NRL Photos

Raiders forward Brett White says a decision not to award a try to Rabbitohs winger Nathan Merritt during South Sydney's second half fightback gave his side a much-needed lift.

With the Rabbitohs well and truly on the way to erasing a 22-0 half-time deficit with two second-half tries, the video referee reversed the decision to award Merritt a four-pointer after noticing prop Sam Burgess had toed the ball back from an offside position, in front of dummy half John Sutton when he grubbered the ball into Raiders prop Dave Shillington.

"Yeah it did [give us a lift], little things like that, it helped us out with the momentum of the game," White told NRL.com after his team's 30-18 win.

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"Everyone talks about momentum and that was probably a crucial part for us. We were lucky we were able to go and score at the other end after that."

Had Merritt scored his 145th NRL try, he would have passed the legendary Benny Wearing as the Rabbitohs' greatest try-scorer.


Asked about South Sydney gaining the ascendency in the second half, White said it had been addressed at half-time.

"We knew they'd come out a different team and they certainly did. We were able to weather that storm and hang in there and keep doing our job and got the reward for it," he said, adding, "And a few of our hookers were missing tackles!" as bench hooker Josh McCrone wandered within earshot in the sheds post-match.

Overall White said it was a great Canberra performance, especially given back-rowers Shaun Fensom and Joel Edwards were lost to injury during the game.

"The boys hung in there really well in the second half. We've been close the last few weeks, we've been disappointed with a couple of games, today we probably got the reward for the hard work we've been putting in," he said.

"The boys were really committed to where we wanted to go and what we wanted to do this year, today we definitely got that reward."

White agreed with his coach that losing Fensom to injury had been a huge blow.

"We saw that last week when we were without him, he's one of those blokes that does all that gritty work. Such a big thing you know, what he does for the team – they're big boots to fill even though they're only little ones he wears!"


http://www.nrl.com/merritt-no-try-r...spirits/tabid/10874/newsid/77243/default.aspx

 

[SaraSassypants]

That try should not have been over-ruled. There was not enough conclusive evidence to suggest Sutton didn't put Burgess back onside. Sutton chased through till he was in line with Burgess. Sam was not offside.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire not giving up on premiership

League Match Report
Date March 31, 2014 - 12:54AM
South Sydney coach Michael Maguire has said it is too early to write off his team's premiership hopes but admitted their last two performances may have been the worst since he took over in 2012.After defeating premiers Sydney Roosters in the season opener game, the Rabbitohs were beaten by Manly and Wests Tigers but neither of those losses compared to their lacklustre and error riddled 30-18 defeat by Canberra at ANZ Stadium.
While the Raiders deserve credit, questions will be asked about what has gone wrong with Souths after finishing just one game short of a grand final the past two seasons and having one of the best rosters in the NRL – although they were without star hooker Issac Luke.
''It is round four – we will get it right,'' Maguire said. ''We are very disappointed but we have to use that disappointment to keep us moving forward as a team.
''When we play with confidence, like we have in the past, things work – but at the moment they are not gelling for us. If we do the things that work for us, that confidence will come back overnight. What we have probably done in the past to a lot of teams is build a lot of pressure but we haven't done that the past two weeks.
''There have been parts of both the last two games that definitely are not the Souths way and we need to find the Souths way again.''
After conceding four tries to trail 22-0 at half-time, the Rabbitohs players were on the receiving end of some harsh words from Maguire.
Souths made nine errors in the first half, and a number of them led to Raiders tries, with winger Reece Robinson scoring twice in the opening 18 minutes.
Souths started the second half desperate to turn the game around, and George Burgess set the tone when he steamrolled Joel Edwards in a charging run that forced the Canberra back-rower off the field for a concussion assessment.
Edwards did not return, and the Raiders were down to 15 players for most of the second half after losing Shaun Fensom with an elbow injury but Souths were unable to fully capitalise on the advantage.
A Dylan Walker try gave Rabbitohs fans in the 16,032 crowd some hope in the 47th minute after halfback Adam Reynolds ran the ball near the Raiders line on the last tackle and second-rower Chris McQueen linked with skipper John Sutton before the boom five-eighth stepped his way inside several defenders to score.
With five consecutive penalties helping to shift momentum Souths' way, Burgess forced his way over to reduce the deficit to 22-12 in the 55th minute and, when Nathan Merritt crossed four minutes, later there was a sense that the home side was going to get out of jail.
However, the try was disallowed after video referees ruled Sam Burgess had been offside when Sutton sent the ball from dummy-half into the legs of David Shillington and the English forward, who had played the ball, then toed it backwards to Reynolds.
A minute later, Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton got the nod for the try that sealed the win after the video referees ruled a Josh McCrone kick had not been touched by centre Matt Allwood and the ball had been knocked on by Lote Tuqiri.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...premiership-20140330-zqoog.html#ixzz2xUHn9QUz

 

[God-King Dean]

That try should not have been over-ruled. There was not enough conclusive evidence to suggest Sutton didn't put Burgess back onside. Sutton chased through till he was in line with Burgess. Sam was not offside.

Should have gone to Specsavers.

 

[Zigwaa]

Very poor showing by the team. Too much dropped ball and the back line moves looked very slow and lethargic.

They're in a very big rut at the moment and need to turn around over the next few weeks. When's Jason Clark due back? Tom Burgess? Keary?

In a positive I though McQueen was good.

 

[Zigwaa]

The game was just about decided and we didn't deserve to win, but that last try to Wighton shouldn't have been awarded, clearly hit the fingers of the canberra player and went forward into tuqiri.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

The game was just about decided and we didn't deserve to win, but that last try to Wighton shouldn't have been awarded, clearly hit the fingers of the canberra player and went forward into tuqiri.

And then was knocked on a second time, just for good measure. Worst video ref decision ever.