Game Summary
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Round 23 clash between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Parramatta Eels was a thrilling contest at Redfern Oval, with the visitors claiming a gutsy 28-26 victory.
Joash Papalii scored first for Parramatta leaping high to pluck a kick as Apa Twidle converted for a 6-0 lead, before South Sydney hit back when halfback Jonah Glover slipped a ball to Latrell Siegwalt who stepped off his man to finish under the posts. Siegwalt's conversion attempt sailed wide, leaving the score at 6-4.
The Eels hit straight back through winger Jake Tago, who benefitted from a well-worked left-edge play to score his first of the night. Twidle converted from the sideline to stretch the lead to 12-4. The Rabbitohs refused to lay down and worked their way back through a second try to Siegwalt, converting to trim the margin to 12-8.
South Sydney took the lead for the first time when Glover finished off a sweeping back-line movement to score, with Siegwalt converting to make it 14-12. But the Eels wouldn't be denied soon after, with Tago crossing for his double in the corner right on the stroke of half-time. Twidle's conversion from the sideline gave Parramatta an 18-16 lead at the break.
Parramatta continued to dominate the early stages of the second half, with winger Bradley Avery finishing off a repeat of their left-edge shape play to extend the lead to 22-16. The Rabbitohs found a response through Te Wehi Waitere, who finished off a cross-field kick from Glover cutting the deficit to two at 22-20.
South Sydney then assumed control through some outstanding back-line movement, with Mazzone finishing off a coast-to-coast effort sparked by Liam Le Blanc to put the Rabbitohs ahead. Siegwalt converted to push the buffer to 26-22.
With six minutes remaining, the Eels produced the decisive moment, as Lorenzo Talataina's brilliance set up Tyrese Lokeni to crash over, before Twidle nailed a sideline conversion to nose Parramatta back ahead 28-26. Despite a desperate late charge from the Rabbitohs, the Eels held firm to claim a deserved victory.
Talking Points
Lorenzo Talataina was everywhere for the Eels. The young playmaker consistently shifted sides of the ruck, combined well with Twidle and Papalii, and had a hand in several crucial attacking plays throughout the match.
Liam Le Blanc was the Rabbitohs' most influential forward. The hard-hitting lock repeatedly broke the line and set up the try that gave South Sydney the lead in the second half, but his side was unable to hold it.
Key Moment
Behind 26-22 and with the clock winding down, Talataina's short pass sent Tyrese Lokeni surging into a gap and around the fullback to score. Twidle then kicked a composed conversion from near the sideline to give Parramatta the decisive 28-26 lead in the final minutes of the contest.
What's Next?
The Rabbitohs will look to regroup ahead of their Round 24 clash against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, while the Eels prepare to face the Bears at North Sydney Oval.
