NRL 2021 finals LIVE updates South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly Sea Eagles
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Well, I don’t think Wayne Bennett will be too pleased with this.
His team are heading to the grand final, but they’ve just conceded two tries in the space of three minutes to a team with a man in the sin bin. This time it’s Reuben Garrick benefiting from a Moses Suli break to outsprint Blake Taaffe for his second try of the night.
It’s real cue in the rack stuff at the moment from the Rabbitohs. They’ve had this one won for a long time, but it’s not a nice way to end the game. I reckon Bennett will be reminding them about it, too.
Garrick’s conversion is a beauty and the it’s now 32-16 with just two minutes left.
Manly have a consolation try, and who else? Tom Trbojevic has broken the single season for most tries for the Sea Eagles, crossing for his 28th after backing up a break from Moses Suli and the 12-man Manly add just a touch of respectability to the scoreboard. Phil Blake had previously held the mark
Reuben Garrick’s conversion is wide of the right upright and the Rabbitohs are leading 32-10 with just five minutes left.
It’s all become a bit scrappy in the final minutes. South Sydney are still hammering away on the Sea Eagles’ line, but have made a couple of errant passes and handling errors. This really could be a lot uglier for Manly while Josh Aloiai is in the sin bin.
Righto, with only seven minutes left in this and everything pretty academic, who are we thinking will meet South Sydney in the grand final? The Storm will be red-hot favourites, but can the Panthers exact revenge for last year’s grand final defeat?
Wayne Bennett has seen enough, he’s finally taken Adam Reynolds from the field with 12 minutes left.
What a weird feeling he must be going through right now, obviously ecstatic he will finish his time at the Rabbitohs with a grand final appearance, but clearly hampered by an injury which has prevented him from goalkicking.
Benji Marshall will slot into the halves alongside Cody Walker.
There’s a spat between players from both teams after Josh Aloiai puts Mark Nicholls in a dangerous position with a lifting tackle.
It’s a penalty and the Manly prop is sent to the sin bin, but Damien Cook takes exception to it and players rush in from everywhere. If you’re a South Sydney player, you don’t want to be anywhere near this. Nothing to gain, and everything to lose with the grand final around the corner.
Now, how do Manly stop this getting really ugly with only 12 players on the field and 12 minutes left?
Manly and Rabbitohs players scuffle after Josh Aloiai’s dangerous tackle.Credit:Getty
I’m just starting to think of all the storylines which will be emanating out of the Rabbitohs in grand final week.
Wayne Bennett trying to become the first coach to win grand finals with three different clubs and his eighth title overall. Maybe up against Craig Bellamy? Or his newest feud, Ivan Cleary? Adam Reynolds trying to farewell South Sydney with the ultimate prize. Benji Marshall’s last game of NRL, probably. Dane Gagai and Jaydn Su’A leaving. Mouth-watering stuff.
And to think whoever they play, either Melbourne or Penrith, both teams put 50 on the Rabbitohs during the regular season. Again, it’s Bart Cummings-like timing from the master coach, who has his team firing at the right time.
The Rabbitohs celebrate another try en route to the grand final.Credit:Getty
Game. Set. Match. The Rabbitohs are heading to the grand final with one of the most bizarre tries you’re likely to ever see.
Adam Reynolds sends a kick high into the Brisbane night sky, Jaxson Paulo outjumps Reuben Garrick and then almost runs backwards for the remaining 10 metres to score. That was Michael Jackson-esque, the rugby league moon walk. Funny game, rugby league.
Blake Taaffe’s conversion is a wobbly old one which is his worst of the night, hooked way left. It won’t matter though, the Rabbitohs cruising at 32-6 with 19 minutes left.
Wayne Bennett is off to a grand final, the first to be played in Brisbane.
It’s point-a-minute stuff needed now from the Sea Eagles, who are valiantly trying to change this game with their defence. They’ve just made far too many mistakes to be a real threat in this game, gifting opportunities to the Rabbitohs, who have taken them.
Tom Trbojevic is trying his best to inspire the Sea Eagles, but he’s been starved of ball in decent areas in the second half. Almost every bounce of the ball has been the Rabbitohs’ way tonight.
It’s still 28-6 and we’ve got just 21 minutes left. Do you believe in miracles, Des? And does Wayne pull Adam Reynolds for an early shower?
And just like that, the air is completely taken out of the balloon.
Tom Trbojevic forces a pass inside his own half which is spilled by Morgan Harper, and you don’t invite the Rabbitohs down your end without consequences. South Sydney work the ball to the right, Daly Cherry-Evans and Moses Suli aren’t on the same page in defence and Benji Marshall pops a neat short ball for Campbell Graham, who wrestles his way past Reuben Garrick. It wasn’t the hardest try assist, but Marshall showed all his experience and guile with that pass.
Blake Taaffe’s conversion is perfect. Boy, the kid can kick. South Sydney back out to a 22-point lead at 28-6 with 29 minutes left.
There’s a complete momentum shift in this game. Manly are racing out of their defensive line, lining up South Sydney ball carriers like they’re on a shooting range. It’s a huge energy surge from Des Hasler’s team. It’s amazing what a try can do - and the bench players are all out of their seat. They can sniff a comeback.
If you want to learn more about the evolution of Josh Schuster’s game and that brilliant skill of passing without looking, you can read about it here.
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