Walker stars as Rabbitohs overcome Tigers

South Sydney have maintained their unbeaten start to the 2015 NRL season, winning 20-6 over Wests Tigers in front of 23,211 at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Coming into the round three fixture, both the Rabbitohs and Tigers were unbeaten, but after 30 minutes neither side displayed the form responsible for consecutive wins to start the year.

After being denied in the opening minutes, the Tigers struck the first blow through captain Robbie Farah grubbering for himself before diving over to post opening points.

The Rabbitohs were quick to respond through tries to Alex Johnston and Dylan Walker just before halftime. With Adam Reynolds unable to convert Walker's try on halftime, the home side took a 10-6 lead into the break.

Much of the second half was a dour affair. Soon after the change of ends, Greg Inglis extended the South Sydney lead to 16-6 courtesy of a strong display of passing between Adam Reynolds and Glenn Stewart to set up the Rabbitohs fullback.

For as hard as they tried, the Tigers were unable to get over the Rabbitohs line despite the best efforts of Luke Brooks and James Tedesco.

Having sustained a hand injury early on in the game, South Sydney's Dylan Walker produced a phenomenal performance on the right side. Despite being clearly hampered by the injury, the Rabbitohs centre produced numerous breaks throughout the match and ended up with two tries, including the winner with only four minutes left on the clock.

After starting the year off with dominant displays over Brisbane and the Roosters, South Sydney struggled throughout much of the game. Playing without John Sutton and Ben Lowe, the Rabbitohs handed starts to Cameron McInnes and former Panther Tim Grant who was particularly strong in his debut for the defending premiers.

After unimpressive wins over the Titans and Dragons, the Tigers produced a measured performance, matching it with South Sydney for much of the game, only outclassed during a ten-minute period either side of the break. Looking towards the future coach Jason Taylor will have plenty to work on with his side, but will take confidence in knowing his side is capable of matching it with the competition's elite teams.

South Sydney will be out to continue their unbeaten start to the year next Friday as they travel to Pirtek Stadium to take on the Eels, while Wests Tigers will once again play at ANZ against the Bulldogs on Friday night.

Crowd: 23,211
Halftime Score: South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 Wests Tigers 6

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Dylan Walker
2 points - Adam Reynolds
1 point - Tim Grant

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (20)
Tries: Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker (2), Greg Inglis
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (2/4)

WESTS TIGERS (6)
Tries: Robbie Farah
Conversions: Pat Richards (1/1)

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Round 3 Sunday Football between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium. Both sides come into this match undefeated, the Rabbitohs look to be the favourites, but in the corresponding clash last year the Tigers produced a memorable win. Will Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary continue their strong early season form to push for an Origin position or will the young Tigers continue to defy expectations and knock off the defending premiers.

Kick-off is around 15 minutes away. Souths will be in their traditional strip, while the Tigers will be debuting a brand new white and grey jersey.

Greg Inglis kicks off and the game is underway.

2: Possible Tigers try to Pat Richards. Looking for a possible knock-on. Big hit by Martin Taupau on Joel Reddy in the lead up.

3: No Try to the Tigers. Pat Richards ruled to be offside from the kick.

3: Tim Grant takes his first run for Souths inside the Tigers half.

4: Luke Brooks kicks straight to Greg Inglis, Souths have looked strong early.

5: The Tigers earn a penalty for a Souths offside when they had the chance to score.

6: Kevin Naiqama dives for the corner but Ben Cummins has ruled No Try.

6: Naiqama loses the ball. Should be a 10 metre scrum to the Rabbitohs.

6: Souths start their set from the 20 metre line, Naiqama ruled to have lost the ball in-goal.

7: Bryson Goodwin gets a penalty. Kevin Naiqama doesn't release quickly enough.

8: Dylan Walker makes his way over the line but three Tigers hold him up. Change-over to the Tigers.

9: Tigers get a penalty. Dylan Walker appears to have injured his arm but is staying on.

10: James Tedesco throws a flat ball which Pat Richards can't grab onto. Tigers feed the scrum 20 metres out.

12: Joel Reddy found some space on the right but throws a pass to Dylan Walker who is in front. Try gone begging to Souths.

12: Tigers penalty inside the Rabbitohs half. Good chance to post first points here.

13: Luke Brooks throws a forward pass to Sauaso Sue in a try-scoring position. Both sides are playing rather frantically in the early stages.

14: Dylan Walker has come off the field with Chris Grevsmuhl coming on. Chris McQueen to push out to right centre in Walker's absence.

15: George Burgess drops an Issac Luke pass only metres out from the line

16: Strong run by Curtis Sironen puts the Tigers inside the Rabbitohs half.

16: Good bust by Martin Taupau is followed by a poor kick that is gathered up by Glenn Stewart.

17: Adam Reynolds attempts a 40/20 only for Pat Richards to be on the spot to cover up.

18: Chris McQueen toes the ball ahead putting the Rabbitohs inside the Tigers half.

18: Pat Richards places Greg Inglis in a dangerous position earning the Rabbitohs a penalty and the Tigers winger on-report.

20: George Burgess drops the ball cold only 10 metres out. Both sides should look to kick a penalty if the opportunity arises to settle the nervous start.

21: Tigers get a penalty on halfway. Dylan Walker is back on the field, Tom Burgess also on for Souths.

23: Tim Simona goes close to the line only to be held back by three Rabbitohs.

24: Souths back on the attack. Ava Seumanufagai, Brendan Santi and Jason Clark are on the field now.

24: James Tedesco drops Luke Keary's bomb but it goes backwards. Tigers on the attack.

26: Reynolds bombs for Alex Johnston only for Kevin Naiqama to take the ball. The on-coming Souths defence earn a line-drop out.

27: Alex Johnston almost gets over but three Tigers prevent the try.

28: Issac Luke can't regather Chris McQueen's bat-back. Had he been able to Alex Johnston would've scored.

28: The Tigers earn another penalty, will start their set on the halfway line.

29: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Robbie Farah. Kick to come.
Finally we have a try. Backing up from a good Aaron Woods run, the Tigers #9 grubbers for himself, grounding the ball under the posts.

30: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
From right in front, Richards converts.

30: Jack Buchanan is on for the Tigers replacing Aaron Woods.

32: James Tedesco makes a tremendous break to put the Tigers on the attack.

32: Mitchell Moses grubbers ahead only for Inglis to force his way out.

34: Curtis Sironen runs a strong line but can't find support resulting in a turn-over followed up by a Rabbitohs penalty.

35: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Alex Johnston. Kick to come.
Inglis delivers an amazing pass for his winger to cross in the left corner.

37: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
From the sideline, the Rabbitohs halfback nails the conversion levelling the scores at 6-all.

38: Adam Reynolds tries for another 40/20 but Tedesco was on the spot to clean up.

38: Brendan Santi drops the ball 20 metres out from his own line.

39: Inglis is only centimetres away from the line, held up by Sauaso Sue.

39: Dylan Walker is claiming a try off a Reynolds grubber. The Australian international is showing the effects of his arm injury grounding the ball with one arm.

39: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Dylan Walker. Kick to come.
For the third straight week, Walker scores a try. After trailing for most of the first half, the Rabbitohs take the lead into halftime.

40: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds unsuccessful.
Reynolds is unable to convert leaving South Sydney ahead by four points.

40: Both sides were unable to capitalise on their possession early on. As the half wore on both sides were able to cross the stripe, but for all their possession the Tigers would be disappointed to be trailing at the break.

So far neither coach has used his full compliment of players, Cameron McInnes and Dene Halatau are yet to see any football, but after a torrid first half defensive effort expect both players to make an impact in the remaining 40 minutes.

Pat Richards kicks off and the second half is underway.

41: Tom Burgess drops the ball giving the Tigers an early opportunity inside the South Sydney half.

42: Dene Halatau is on for the Tigers as Curtis Sironen loses the ball 10 metres out from the Rabbitohs line.

44: Adam Reynolds bombs from the 50 metre line leaving James Tedesco the impossible task of catching the ball. South Sydney get a scrum feed 10 metres out. If Souths can score here it may be all over for the Tigers.

44: Kevin Naiqama makes a tremendous tackle on Alex Johnston to stop a Souths sweep play.

45: Adam Reynolds grubbers ahead for Issac Luke only for James Tedesco to clean up resulting in a line drop out.

45: Dylan Walker is struggling with an arm injury but is persevering through the pain.

46: Possible try to Greg Inglis. Ben Cummins is checking for a possible obstruction but it looks to be a try.

47: Good interchange of passing between Adam Reynolds and Glenn Stewart puts Inglis over to extend the lead.

47: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Greg Inglis. Kick to come.
Souths extend their lead to 8 with a kick to come.

48: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
Once again Reynolds nails the goal, the Tigers now trail by 10. It's not impossible, but it will take quite a comeback.

48: Adam Reynolds is down clutching at a shoulder, but is getting back up after a shove from Martin Taupau.

50: Martin Taupau loses the ball after a big tackle from Issac Luke and Glenn Stewart.

51: Taupau attempts to strip Issac Luke of the football but gives away a penalty. Rabbitohs back on the attack.

52: Adam Reynolds is claiming a try after grubbing ahead. Ben Cummins rules No Try.

53: No Try is the decision resulting in a penalty to the Tigers for Issac Luke being inside the 10.

53: James Tedesco finds some space and is down after a strong tackle by Inglis as the Tigers fullback was falling.

54: Dylan Walker cleans up Luke Brooks kick making his way out of Martin Taupau's tackle and getting back into the field of play.

56: Forward pass thrown by Mitchell Moses gives the Rabbitohs another chance.

57: Dylan Walker makes another break. For a man playing with one arm he has been sensational today.

57: Big hit by Kevin Naiqama on Bryson Goodwin.

58: Wests Tigers get another penalty. Should be in an attacking position by the end of the set.

59: Keith Galloway almost makes his way to the line but is cut down.

59: Cameron McInnes is on for the Rabbitohs.

60: Greg Inglis is on the spot to defuse Luke Brooks bomb.

61: Dylan Walker makes another break, cut down only 10 metres from the line.

62: Joel Reddy has made his way to the line but it looks to be short.

62: No Try for Reddy, the ball is just short of the line. Play the ball Rabbitohs.

62: Bryson Goodwin is claiming a try but it is clearly a knock-on. Video Referees checking the restart.

62: No Try. Knock on against Chris Lawrence. South Sydney to feed the scrum 10 metres out.

63: Joel Reddy can't take Inglis' pass. Had he been able to take the pass he would have scored.

64: Mitchell Moses grubbers for Kevin Naiqama but is beaten by Inglis to the ball. Video Referees are checking the restart.

64: Line drop out to the Tigers. If the Tigers can score here they'll be back in the contest with 15 remaining.

64: Keith Galloway and Tim Grant are eyeing each other off.

64: Wests Tigers earn the penalty for a dangerous tackle from Tim Grant.

65: Wests Tigers lose the ball. Martin Taupau and Issac Luke come together once again causing a scuffle between the two teams.

65: Official crowd announced as 23,211.

66: Cameron McInnes makes a break with Reynolds in support only for Tedesco to knock the pass down. Rabbitohs scrum feed 25 metres out.

67: Glenn Stewart looks to put the ball down over the line but ends up dropping it. Tigers still in the match.

68: Tigers earn another six tackles inside the Rabbitohs 10 metres.

68: James Tedesco can't hold onto Luke Brooks' pass. They just can't get over despite the scoreline being close enough.

71: Luke Brooks bombs = Greg Inglis catches. It's been the case all day.

72: The Tigers have lost the ball on halfway. If Souths can cross in this set it will surely seal the win for the Rabbitohs.

74: Tim Grant gets over the line only to have James Tedesco rake the ball out resulting in a line drop out.

76: Adam Reynolds grubbers ahead for Dylan Walker, he looks to have crossed for his second but the Video Referees will have the final say.

76: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Dylan Walker. Kick to come.
After a tussle with Tim Simona, Dylan Walker scores the match winner for the Rabbitohs.

76: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds unsuccessful.
Reynolds pushes it to the left, but it doesn't matter, the Bunnies won't be beaten from here.

77: Rabbitohs knock-on while trying to spread the ball out to Alex Johnston.

77: Robbie Farah has crashed over the line, but Ben Cummins has ruled No Try.

77: No Try to Farah. It just hasn't been the Tigers day today. In defence they've held their own, but their attack isn't up to the Rabbitohs standard.

77: Forward pass from Reynolds to Inglis in a try-scoring position.

78: Jack Buchanan knocks on. The Rabbitohs will have one final chance to score.

79: Inglis kicks ahead but the Tigers are able to force the ball dead.

79: Channel 9 have awarded Man Of The Match to Greg Inglis, but for mine Dylan Walker has been sensational for the Rabbitohs.

80: George Burgess takes the final run of the day as the Rabbitohs run out 20-6 winners over Wests Tigers.