Manly Warringah Sea Eagles lost 16-12 to South Sydney at Brookvale Oval tonight in round five of the Telstra Premiership.
The Sea Eagles went into their third game in 10 days missing half-back Daly Cherry-Evans (ankle), and forwards Jamie Buhrer (thumb) and Jake Trbojevic (knee) through injury.
Former hooker Apisai Koroisau made the most of his time at half-back, breaking the Souths defence open on several occasions as he partnered Dylan Walker in the halves.
Souths opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a converted try next to the posts by hooker Cameron McInnes for a 6-0 lead.
A few minutes later, McInnes took off from dummy half to catch the defence napping to score his second try for a 10-0 lead.
The Rabbitohs went to a 16-0 lead after 16 minutes after Cody Walker converted his own after breaking the tackle of Brenton Lawrence.
The Sea Eagles got on the board when five-eighth Dylan Walker took on the line and brushed off three defenders to score before pumping his chest on the Manly emblem against his former club. Jamie Lyon converted to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 16-6 after 29 minutes.
Koroisau almost got the Sea Eagles’ second try in the final minutes of the first half with some brillant attacking runs.
Second Half
The Sea Eagles threw plenty at the Rabbitohs in the opening 20 minutes of the second half with Walker and Koroisau dangerous with the ball.
It was the Manly supporters who were very happy with Api when he found open space to put the foot down to score under the posts. Lyon converted to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 16-12 after 60 minutes.
The Sea Eagles tried valiantly to find the tryline but the Rabbitohs held on in the end.
Manly take on the Warriors in Auckland next Saturday.
