NRL Round 14 – Rabbit in the Vineyard: Souths climb off the bottom of the ladder

 

 

 

R.I.T.V. 2024 Round 14:

Gold Coast Titans v South Sydney,
Saturday 8 June,
Robina, 3pm

 

SOUTHS CLIMB OFF BOTTOM OF THE LADDER

 

Souths managed their third win of the 2024 season with a eight tries to two demolition of the Gold Coast Titans at Robina on Saturday afternoon.

The fall out for NSW after Origin Game 1, apart from how many changes need to be made, was all about (the now suspended) Joseph Suaali and who will replace him for the MCG clash.

Enter Latrell!

The enigmatic representative centre playing fullback in clubland had an afternoon out against the Titans and needs to repeat the effort against the Broncos on Friday night.

 

 The Mario Fenech-Clive Churchill-Sam Burgess inspirational play:

There were many in the eight tries to two win, however, the more recent Latrell involvement in Souths kicking game, is fantastic, and frankly, should have happened a long time ago!

Latrell, with another towering left foot bomb, provided Cody with his try, and gave Souths a 22-6 lead.

Ben Hornby, if this strategy is your initiative, WELL DONE!

 

The Phil Blake chip n chase best attacking moment:

Cook, winding back the clock, made a break on our own 20m line, for Latrell to be playing like a fullback should: that is, backing up through the middle, to run 40m and score.

 

The Rampling brothers-Les Davidson-David Boyle tackle of the game:

A shout out to the game day 17 for holding the Titans, who were coming off a win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, to only 12 points. A welcome change to the leaky defence we have become accustomed to.

David Furner as defensive coach: could this dynamic finally be working?

Aaron Eugol on Twitter stated this was Souths best win since the epic 2023 round 18 clash in Aukland over the Warriors in the driving rain, 28-6, with young gun Tyrone Munro scoring on debut.

I tend to agree.

 

Blake Taaffe watch:

The Bulldogs NRL team are now in the eight, with Connor Tracey (South Sydney player number 1129) firmly entrenched in the Dogs’ number one jumper.

 

 

Souths now sit 16th on the ladder, ahead of the Wests Tigers, and move on to face the Broncos, coming off a home loss against Cronulla, in Sydney on Friday night.

 

Highlights:

NRL 2024 | Titans v Rabbitohs | Match Highlights (youtube.com)

 

Press conference:

Souths back Trell Origin call up after big win | South Sydney Press Conference | Fox League (youtube.com)

 

Souths line-up: Latrell, Johnston, Milne, Kennar, Gagai, Wighton, Cody (capt.), Moale, Cook, Keppie, Chee Kam, Arrow, Koloamatangi. Bench: Mamezelos, Duncan, Havili, Burgess.

 

Souths points: tries Mitchell 8’, Gagai 12’, Kennar 28’, Walker 34’, Burgess 54’, Moale 64’, Wighton 74’, Walker 77’. Goals: Mitchell 7/8, Arrow 1/1.

Crowd: 14, 434.

Half time: Souths 22-6

 

R.I.T.V. player of the year points: Latrell 3, Keon 2, Burgess 1

Progressive:

Murray and Wighton 11, Burgess 9, Koloamatangi 7, Duncan 6, Latrell 5, Gray, Moale, Hawkins, Cook, 3, Latrell, Arrow, Havili, Gagai 2. S Mitchell, Milne 1.

 

 

 

Barossa Valley red wines of the week:

A Saturday long lunch in the glorious Adelaide Hills (Little Hampton, to be precise) means two entries in the Barossa red wine of the week for round 14.

Watching the Saturday night replay of the 3pm match from Robina was a great night in!

Both outstanding drops:

Kellermeister Wild Witch 2016 Shiraz

Kellermeister – Products – Wild Witch Shiraz

Cimicky 2021 Autograph Basket Pressed Durif

2018 Cimicky Autograph Durif – Cimicky wines

 

 

Russel Hansen, South Sydney football club diamond member 6199, lives in Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia. His golden retriever, Murray, is named after the South Sydney captain.

Twitter/X: @Rabbit in the Vineyard @Russel_Hansen

 

 

About Russel Hansen

Russel Hansen Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters. Twitter: @Russel_Hansen

Comments

  1. roger lowrey says

    Good bunnies!

    RDL

Leave a Comment

*