NRL Round 21 – RITV: South Sydney v Cronulla Sutherland – Eight losses in a row

 

NRL Round 21
South Sydney v Cronulla-Sutherland
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Saturday 26 July, 8pm

Eight losses in a row

 Earlier in the day, across the ditch in New Zealand, the Gold Coast Titans upset the highly fancied Warriors, meaning South Sydney fell to 17th place on the NRL ladder.

Watching the replay of the match after a great meal at the Stockwell Hotel, many experts, as well as social media types, were posting comments such as:

‘South Sydney were brave tonight’
‘Considering the penalty count (10-2 to Cronulla-Sutherland) and the six again tally (5-1 to the lads from the Shire). the apparent knock on for the Sharks’ winning try, South Sydney can count themselves very unlucky’
‘Sharks unconvincing winners’

Tyrone Munro scored the first try of the game for South Sydney to lead 6-2 at half-time.

The Sharks responded early in the second half with a converted try to take the lead. Cronulla-Sutherland’s winning try was contentious to say the least. Referee Belinda Sharpe and bunker official Calvin Klein were widely criticised for the decision.

 

Clive Churchill-George Piggins-Mario Fenech inspirational player:

Lachlan Hubner: his 60m chasing effort to run down the Cronulla-Sutherland fullback was exceptional.

 

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

Bench forward Liam Le Blanc hit on Cronulla-Sutherland fullback William Kennedy late in the first half was a good, old fashioned, driving tackle.

 

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

Jye Gray’s pass to Tyrone Munro for South Sydney’s first try. South Sydney’s energy was certainly enhanced by Gray’s return to the side.

 

Prop Junior Tatola dislocated his shoulder scoring South Sydney’s other try late in the game.

South Sydney moves on to face 2014 premiership coach Michael Maguire and former favourite son, 231 gamer, South Sydney’s record points scorer, the 35-year-old Adam Reynolds at Lang Park on Friday night

Remaining 2025 fixtures after the trip to the cauldron: Titans, Parramatta, St George-Illawarra, Eastern Suburbs.

Wayne Bennett faces the real possibility of winning the first wooden spoon of his storied coaching career.

Wake me up when September ends.

 

Full time: Cronulla-Sutherland 14 defeated South Sydney 12

South Sydney team list: Jye Gray, Johnston, Tass, Duncan, Munro, Wighton (capt.), Dodd, Tatola, Havili, Keppie, Aitken, Arrow, Hubner. Bench: Le Blanc, Host, Ryan Gray, Ashton Ward (debut: player number 1211)

South Sydney points: tries: Munro 39’, Tatola 79’, goals: Tass 2/3

Half-time: South Sydney 6-2

Penalties: Cronulla-Sutherland 10-2

Six agains: Cronulla-Sutherland 5-1

Sin bin: Wighton (subsequent four match suspension)

 

Referee: Belinda Sharpe, bunker: Ashley (Calvin) Klein

 

Attendance: 13, 896

 

Highlights

2025 NRL Match Highlights | Rabbitohs v Sharks | Round 21

 

Press conference:

Press Conference: Rabbitohs – Round 21, 2025 – South Sydney Rabbitohs

 

Rabbit in the Vineyard player of the year points:

3 – Jye Gray, 2 – Tallis Duncan, 1 – Trent Dodd

 

2025 Progressive points:

20 – Jye Gray & Keon Koloamatangi, 14 – Tallis Duncan, 11 – Jamie Humphreys, 9 Alex Johnston, Lachlan Hubner, 7 – Campbell Graham, 6 – Jack Weighton & Latrell, 3 – Jai Arrow, 2 – Laim Le Blanc, Brandon Smith, Davvy Moale, Sean Keppie, 1 – Trent Dodd, Euan Aitken, Peter Mamouzelos, Cody.

NB: 2023 and 2024 winner: Cameron Murray

 

South Sydney full weekend results:

NSW Cup: South Sydney defeated by Warriors 68-8

Flegg: bye

NSW women’s: South Sydney 26 defeated St George 4

 

Barossa Valley red wine of the week:

Torbreck 2023 Woodcutters Shiraz

Enjoyed at one of the great pubs of the Barossa, the Greenock Hotel, on Friday night.

 

 

 

 

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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