Match Report: NSW Cup Round 16 vs Rabbitohs

With several of the NRL squad watching on, Manly scored three tries in the final 15 minutes of the match but ultimately fell short, with goal kicking proving to be the key difference.

The Rabbitohs didn’t miss a kick, with the boys in maroon-and-white only converting one out of five attempts.

The loss comes despite strong NRL presence in the side, with Jason Saab, Toafofoa Sipley, Lachlan Croker and Corey Waddell all running out for the NSW Cup team.

A smart cut-out pass at the line by Joey Walsh sent Michael Chee Kam crashing past the defence in the right corner for the opening try and a 4-0 lead with ten minutes played.

South Sydney took advantage of their surroundings and bounced a kick off the right post to fool Manly’s defence, allowing for Daniel O’Donnell to freely dive on the ball for a 6-4 scoreline.

A crafty run by the Rabbitohs’s tryscorer saw his side surge downfield to score back-to-back tries, sending Ammaron Gudgeon over untouched for a second try in three minutes and extending their lead to 12-4 with 24 minutes played.

Manly regained momentum to score their second of the match through Jason Saab at the half-hour mark. A smart tackle break in his own half by Chee Kam and a simple pass outfield to beat the full-back sent the pacey winger over untouched next to the posts for a 12-10 scoreline.

The Sea Eagles streaked down the right sideline and were looking dangerous as they sent a kick into the Rabbitohs’ corner. 

The home side fumbled the ball and Manly looked to pack a quick scrum with seconds remaining. Unfortunately they weren’t able to pack in time as the referee called for half-time, with the Rabbitohs maintaining a slender two-point lead at the break.

Manly’s defence was nowhere to be seen as South Sydney caught a cross-field chip to the right of the post to score through Carson Kaho, extending their lead to 18-10 in the 43rd minute. 

The Rabbitohs continued their stunning start to the second half with another try three minutes later through Tim Johannssen for a 24-10 scoreline.

Over the next 20 minutes, Manly had a handful of chances deep in South Sydney’s territory off the back of long-range efforts but they weren’t able to capitalise.

The Sea Eagles’ luck finally turned as they scored their third try of the match in the 66th minute. A quick shift to the left edge and a simple pass by Walsh to beat the edge defender sent Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega over in the corner, cutting the deficit to 24-14.

Manly capitalised on Saab’s speed to score again two minutes later to set up a grandstand finish to the match. 

Smart offload’s by Jake Arthur and Corey Waddell sent Saab into open space on the right sideline. The winger beat the full-back and tip-toed down the sideline to score his second try in the right corner for a 24-18 scoreline.

Manly struck again with their fifth try of the match in the 73rd minute. The scrum on the ten-metre line broke quickly and a shift to the left edge ended with a batted pass by Aaron Schoupp to Tuaimalo Vaega, sending the winger over in the corner to take the score to 24-22.

The Sea Eagles looked to take the lead with four minutes to play but bombed a certain try. Saab easily found himself in space thanks to his speed and had just the full-back to beat. A pass infield to Waddell went wayward, with the second-rower dropping the pass at the 30-metre line to scupper the chance.

Manly had a chance to win the match in the dying stages but ultimately fell short thanks to another error in the corner metres out from the line, with the home side holding on to claim a two-point victory.

The Sea Eagles host the New Zealand Warriors next week in round 17 of the NSW Cup at 4 Pines Park. The match follows Manly’s Jersey Flegg Cup match and kicks off at 3pm on Saturday June 28.