NRL Round 11 – Rabbit in the Vineyard: Back-to-back wins (or is it wines?)

 

 

 

BACK-TO-BACK WINS

2025 NRL Round 11

Wests Tigers v South Sydney

Sunday 18 May, Campbelltown, 6:15pm

 

 

South Sydney made it back-to-back wins at a soggy Campbelltown Stadium in the unusual time slot of Sunday evening, 6:15pm. Perhaps a time-filler for Fox League before the announcement of the NSW Origin team for Game 1?

As is often the case between these two teams, the contest was tight and only decided in the final minutes.

On Sunday night, it was a try to prop Jai Arrow, off a neat pass from Jye Gray with only two minutes left on the clock. Arrow is not a noted try scorer: Sunday’s four pointer was only his 12^th NRL try across 165 games, having debuted for the Broncos in 2016.

Tigers hooker Api Koroisau played in South Sydney’s 2014 premiership team, as a replacement for the suspended Isaac Luke. In a performance to remind the Souths faithful of his ability, little Api was at his deceptive best, twice ‘standing up’ Latrell to score vital points for the Tigers. The flying Fijian is 32 years old. He could play on for many seasons based on his energetic display on Sunday night.

Either side of half time, Koroisau embarrassed South Sydney defenders. His first try was a 60m solo effort.

This was an important win for South Sydney before the bye. The Tigers sat 10^th on the ladder, with South Sydney one rung lower, due to a poorer points for and against differential.

Post match, Latrell was named in the centres for NSW for Origin 1 in Brisbane next week. Dylan Edwards, the Penrith dynamo, will wear the No. 1 jersey for the Blues.

 

After the bye in Round 12, Souths move on to face much sterner tests against top four opposition in the Warriors, Canberra, Canterbury and Melbourne.

 

 

George Piggins-Clive Churchill-Mario Fenech inspirational player:

 

Keon Koloamatangi had a whale of a game in the front row. In 2025, we love statistics, apparently!

 

The big fella was good though! Big numbers! 329 running metres, and 51 tackles for the Tongan international, who played NSW Origin in game three of the 2023 series.

 

 

The Rampling Brothers-Charlie Frith-Ian Roberts tackle of the match:

 

Campbell Graham: a try saver with four minutes remaining on the clock. With the margin at 16-12 to Souths, the controversial Tigers whiz kid Galvin appeared to score a try to level the scores. Graham, who was named in the extended Blues Origin squad as cover for Stephen Crichton, forced the ball loose as Galvin dived over.

 

 

The Phil Blake chip’n’chase best attacking moment:

 

Alex Johnston scored NRL try number 197 after slick work from Isaiah Tass up a narrow blind side. The NRL try scoring record is 212 by the legendary Ken Irvine. Notably, Irvine also scored 33 test tries. The scoreboard at the historic North Sydney Oval is named in Irvine’s honour.

 

FULL TIME: South Sydney 22 d Wests Tigers 14

Souths points: tries (4) Havili 9’, Aitken 24’, Johnston 59’, Arrow 78’, goals: Latrell 3/4

Half time: Souths 12-6

Crowd: 11, 102

 

Souths line up: Latrell (captain), Johnston, Tass, Graham, Bentley-Hape, Sullivan, Humphreys, Arrow, Havili, Koloamatangi, Aitken, Duncan, Hubner. Bench: Gray, La Blanc, Moale, Tetola.

 

Highlights

NRL Match Highlights 2025 | Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs | Round 11

 

Press conference

Wayne applauds NRL for “close competition” l | Rabbitohs Press Conference | Fox League

 

SOUTH SYDNEY FULL WEEKEND RESULTS:

NSW Cup – Wests 24 d South Sydney 6

 

 

RABBIT IN THE VINEYARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

 

3 – Keon Koloamatangi, 2 – Campbell Graham, 1 – Euan Aitken

 

Progressive points:

 

17 – Jye Gray, 8 – Keon Koloamatangi & Jamie Humphreys, 7 – Campbell Graham & Lachlan Hubner, 4 – Latrell, 3 – Tallis Duncan, Jack Wighton, Jai Arrow, 2 –Sean Keppie, 1 – Euan Aitken, Davvy Moale, Peter Mamouzelos, Cody.

NB: 2023 and 2024 winner: Cameron Murray

 

Barossa red wine of the week:

 

In a continuation of the magnificent Barossa Sunday afternoon on Mother’s Day:

Hentley Farm ‘The Stray’ 2023 Seppeltsfield Vineyard Grenache Shiraz

 

 

 

 

 

Russel Hansen, South Sydney football club diamond member 6199, lives in Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia.  His golden retriever, Murray, is named after the (injured – for the season) South Sydney captain. Twitter/X: @Rabbit in the Vineyard @Russel_Hansen

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