Jets pushed down the competition table by loss to Rabbitohs

Jets front-rower Rhys Dakin charges into the Rabbitohs defence. Sam Healey (centre) and Niwhai Puru (right) are in the background. Photo: Mario Facchini / mafphotography

The Newtown Jets lost to South Sydney by 24-12 in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup round six match, played at Accor Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Souths led 10-6 at halftime and then Newtown reclaimed the lead early in the second half. The Rabbitohs scored two more converted tries midway through the second half and maintained that 22-12 lead until just before fulltime when they added a penalty goal.

The Jets had opened the scoring in the third minute through a clever exchange of passes between hooker Jayden Berrell, second-rower Billy Burns and finally halfback Niwhai Puru, with Puru’s try being converted by five-eighth Mawene Hiroti.

These were Newtown’s only points for the first half, with the Rabbitohs dominating possession and territory while also receiving a strong flow of penalties. With their deficit of possession, the Jets were forced to defend within their own half for much of the first forty minutes.

The Jets regained the lead early in the second half when fullback Kade Dykes slashed through the Rabbitohs right-side defence, made considerable ground and then sent Niwhai Puru racing clear to score under the northern end goal-posts.

Newtown’s halfback **Niwhai Puru** races in to score his second try in the game against South Sydney at Accor Stadium, Homebush.
Photo: Mario Facchini / **maf**photography

For most of the second half Newtown struggled once again to get an equal share of possession. Souths scored two more converted tries midway through the second half, with their most constructive moments aided by an exceptional display from the NSW State of Origin and Australian representative hooker Damien Cook, whose impeccable service from dummy-half and ball distribution kept the big Souths pack moving forward.

Jets coach George Ndaira was frank in his assessment of Newtown’s performance, observing that the Jets had hurt themselves through conceding penalties and unforced errors, which along with Jayden Berrell’s HIA and enforced absence after thirty minutes didn’t help Newtown to get out of first gear.

Souths prolonged dominance of field position and possession in the first half had burned up a lot of Newtown’s energy, and then a couple of missed try-scoring opportunities in the second half had prevented the Jets from running down Souths lead.

The Rabbitohs had the better post-match figures in completions and possession, as well as an overall penalty count of 9-4 in their favour (Souths had received five penalties to one in the first half).

Souths also registered better stats in areas such as tackle breaks, post-contact metres made and also in kick-return metres. The missed tackles count also went heavily against Newtown.

Jets winger Tom Rodwell deserves special mention for his safe handling under a barrage of high kicks that were directed his way by the Souths play-makers.

This quote from The Extended Bench online commentary site has some reference to Newtown’s wingers: “Wingers are no longer people who hang around rugby league footballers. They now form part of the engine room, especially when working the ball out from their own end. It gives their middle forwards a needed rest and can generate plenty of momentum”. Both Rodwell and Stonestreet are good examples of this modern breed of wingers.

Five-eighth Mawene Hiroti made a strong return to the playing arena, bearing in mind he has been out with injury since the round one encounter with the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland.

Second-rower Jack Gibbons (formerly with the Central Queensland Capras and the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup) made his debut with Newtown in the NSW Cup on Saturday.

Front-rower Braden Hamlin-Uele, the New Zealand Kiwis and Samoan rugby league international, was playing his first game for 2024 and he made a strong impact for the Jets in the midfield.

Souths had scored a long-distance try in the first half that was very much against the run of play. With the scores tied together at 6-all, Newtown put the ball to ground when they were in a favourable attacking position, and the Rabbitohs fullback and captain Jacob Gagai grabbed the loose ball and ran 90 metres to score.

Newtown’s flying winger Sam Stonestreet looked set to score in the second half when he toed the ball ahead and regathered, only to be ankle-tapped by an equally-fast Souths defender.

Saturday’s loss has pushed Newtown down from fourth to seventh position on the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition table. The Newtown Jets return home this Saturday afternoon, 20th April, when they take on the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at Henson Park at 3.00pm.