NRL Round 16 – Rabbit in the Vineyard: Souths win four in a row

 

 

 

R.I.T.V. 2024 NRL Round 16, South Sydney v Manly-Warringah, Sydney Olympic Stadium, Saturday 22 June, 7:30pm.

SOUTHS WIN FOUR IN A ROW

KOLOAMATANGI SURGING IN PLAYER OF THE YEAR STANDINGS

Souths took on Manly-Warringah for the second time in 2024, after the 24-26 loss to the Sea Eagles in Vegas.

These games during the Origin period can at times be dour affairs, and a Saturday night at Homebush, with a small crowd in attendance, ensured this game will not be listed as an all-time NRL classic.

A rainy evening in Sydney, as part of an abbreviated NRL round before Origin in Melbourne, was a stark contrast to the over-hyped fixture in ‘sin city’ to start the season.

Souths were without Cameron Murray and Latrell, while Manly were missing a host of top liners, including both Origin captains, Daley Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic.

Journeyman centre Richie Kennar scored the first try in Vegas (as part of a double).

Strangely enough, he also scored the first try on Saturday night.

Young gun Jye Gray, back in the NRL after injury, scored his first NRL try for Souths to lead 8-0 at the break.

Amongst the many messages between the brotherhood during the first half was this gem: ‘Souths need to score next to the posts, given Cody IS kicking like his last NRL goal came in 2016!’

The rejuvenated Keon Koloamatangi, who made his Origin debut in the Blues’ game three victory last year, did score Souths’ third try under the posts for Cody to convert!

The Souths line up featured a debutant on the bench, Rabbitoh player 1200, Liam Le Blanc.

In quite a coincidence, the dynamic Jye Gray and Liam played in the same Queensland Under 12 representative team in 2016 – making the Peter Lehmann 2016 Shiraz an excellent choice for Barossa red wine of the week.

 

The Clive Churchill-John Sattler-George Piggins-inspirational moment:

(doubling as the Phil Blake chip n chase best attacking moments)

A dead heat between Jye Gray’s first NRL try, showing that GPS 100m speed for The Southport School, alongside Damien Cook’s deft kick for Keon Koloamatangi’s try.

 

The Rampling Brothers-Ian Roberts-Les Davidson tackle of the match:

Souths kept Manly scoreless for the first time in 75 years!

The defence we have been shaking our heads about for months, stretching back to the 2023 capitulation, has tightened up dramatically!

Dave Furner and Ben Hornby, take a bow!

 

Adam Doueihi watch: Rabbitoh 1142, played 30 games for Souths 2018-2019 – a utility player who debuted at halfback, before playing many games as a fullback, Adam left the club when Latrell arrived.

Three knee reconstructions later, in his latest comeback game, Adam scored an 80m intercept try in the Tigers big win over Canberra on Sunday. A feel-good story if ever there was one!

 

Full Time: South Sydney 14 d Manly-Warringah 0

Souths line up: Gray, Johnston, Milne, Kennar, Gagai, Wighton, Cody (capt.) Moale, Cook, Keppie, Chee Kam, Arrow, Koloamatangi, bench: Mamezoulos, Duncan, Burgess, Liam Le Blanc (NRL debut – Rabbitoh 1200)

Souths points: tries Kennar 10’, Gray 21’, Koloamatangi 79’, Walker 1/3 goals.

 

RITV player of the year:

Round 16: Koloamatangi 3, Cook 2, Gray 1

Progressive:

Murray and Wighton 11, Koloamatangi 10, Cook and Burgess 9, Latrell 7, Cook and Duncan 6, Gray 4, Moale, Gagai, Hawkins, 3, Latrell, Arrow, Havili, 2. S Mitchell, Milne 1.

 

Highlights

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

 

Press conference:

Hornby pleased with Souths’ defense | South Sydney Press Conference | Fox League (youtube.com)

Souths now have the bye in round 17, followed by an away game against the last placed Parramatta.

 

 

 

BAROSSA RED WINE OF THE WEEK:

Peter Lehmann 2016 Barossa Shiraz Cellar Archives Release

Nothing screams ‘BAROSSA’ like Peter Lehmann Shiraz!

What a fine drop!

Peter Lehmann – Peter Lehmann 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

 

 

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