Rabbitohs end Jets perfect start to the season

Patrick Staveley (NSWRL)

Game summary:

The Newtown Jets’ perfect start to the 2022 Knock-On Effect NSW Cup season has come to an end after they were toppled 32-10 by the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Jets were dealt an early blow when key forward Franklin Pele pulled up injured after a big run and although he recovered, he was not as effective.

The Bunnies raced away to an explosive start as they kicked off to a 10-0 lead early on through tries to Tyson Hodge and Jaxson Paulo.

The ladder leaders responded when a great run by centre Kayal Iro resulted in a try to five-eighth Kade Dykes. From that point on though it was just one-way traffic with the Rabbitohs posting three consecutive tries for a 26-6 lead at half-time.

The Jets goal-line defence was being regularly tested when Jaxson Paulo picked up his second try off a deft Dean Hawkins grubber kick.

Yileen Gordon (29th minute) and Izaac Thompson (39th minute) both scored to put Souths in a commanding position at halftime, with the result seemingly beyond Newtown’s reach.

Gordon’s sin-binning in the seventh minute of the second half threatened to derail Souths’ good work when Kayal Iro stepped through to score in the following set. However, this proved to be the Jets’ last try for the match with Shannon Gardiner ultimately sealing the result for Souths ten minutes from full-time. 

Talking points

The Jets were missing some experienced players, and the Rabbitohs backline took advantage of that. Newtown’s overall defence was a concern in this match although it improved in the second half. 

Key moment

Just a minute into the match a bulldozing run from rampaging prop Franklin Pele looked to be setting up a great opening set for Newtown. However, Pele’s injury halted play and his impact was limited following this. One of the key forwards in the Jets’ pack getting injured appeared to affect their momentum. 

Road ahead

The win was a big turnaround for Souths following their defeat to the Dragons last week. They face the bottom-placed Wests Magpies at Lidcombe Oval on Sunday while the Jets host the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at Henson Park on Saturday at 3.00pm.

Details of today’s game:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – Sixth Round
Friday, 15th April 2022
Accor Stadium
South Sydney v Newtown
Kick-Off: 1.40pm.

South Sydney 32:
Jaxson Paulo 2, Tyson Hodge, Yileen Gordon, Izaac Thompson, Shannon Gardiner tries;
Dean Hawkins 4 goals
defeated
Newtown 10:
Kade Dykes, Kayal Iro tries;
Addison Demetriou 1 goal.

Halftime: South Sydney led 26-6.

Playing surface: excellent.
Weather: Sunny, 23 degrees, 50% humidity

Sin Bins: Yileen Gordon (Souths) 46th minute; Dylan O’Connor (Newtown) 62nd minute.

Today’s teams were:

Newtown:

Fullback: Dylan O’Connor
Wingers: Jonaiah Lualua, Sam Stonestreet
Centres: Addison Demetriou, Kayal Iro
Five-Eighth: Kade Dykes
Halfback: Angus Ernst
Lock: Tyler Slade
Second-Rowers: Charbel Tasipale, Reubenn Rennie
Front-Rowers: Thomas Hazelton, Franklin Pele
Hooker: Rhys Davies.
Interchange: Jack Martin, Ethan Natoli, Vincent Rennie, Isaac Longmuir.
18th man: Caleb Uele.
Coach: Greg Matterson.

South Sydney:

Fullback: Jacob Gagai
Wingers: Tallis Angianga, Izaac Thompson
Centres: Jaxson Paulo, Jake Tago
Five-Eighth: Jack Campagnolo
Halfback: Dean Hawkins
Lock: Siliva Havili
Second-Rowers: Trent Peoples, Maila Chan-Foon
Front-Rowers: Shaquai Mitchell, Tyson Hodge
Hooker: Peter Mamouzelos.
Interchange: Hugo Patterson, Shannon Gardiner, Yileen Gordon, D’Arcy Hardman.
18th man: Nick Mougios.
Coach: Dane Dorahy.

Newtown’s next game:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – Seventh Round
Saturday, 23rd April 2022
Henson Park
Newtown v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

Next Saturday, 23rd April, is also the day for the rescheduled Beer, Footy & Food Festival at Henson Park!