Raiders leave it late to extend Rabbitohs misery

For the second straight week, the Canberra Raiders have come from behind to win, defeating South Sydney Rabbitohs 30-22 in front of a crowd of 8,713 fans at Barlow Park.

After pulling off the biggest comeback in the club's history against Wests Tigers seven days earlier, the Raiders proved too strong for the defending premiers who have slumped to their third straight loss in the absence of injured halfback Adam Reynolds.

Despite conceding the first try through Jordan Rapana, the Rabbitohs dominated the first half, scoring three tries to Chris McQueen, Bryson Goodwin and Greg Inglis. Luke Keary played a major role in each of the tries, with his chip kick setting up Goodwin among the finest moments of the day.

After the break, Canberra were able to claw their way back into the game through early second half tries to Edrick Lee and Shannon Boyd to reduce the margin to two points with 30 minutes remaining.

As the game reached the hour mark, Rabbitohs debutant Aaron Gray played a part in setting up a try for Luke Keary following a great grubber kick from Bryson Goodwin to put South Sydney to outside a converted try.

While the Rabbitohs appeared to have the ascendency heading into the final quarter of the game, a late surge from the Raiders saw back-to-back tries to Josh Papalii and Blake Austin put the visitors in front 24-22.

A string of errors coming out of their own end ultimately cost the Rabbitohs, with Sam Williams replicating Luke Keary's first half chip kick to give the Raiders a 30-22 victory, their fourth of the season.

For the Raiders, a strong collective effort paved the way for the win. Interchange hooker Kurt Baptiste proved especially potent coming off the bench, playing a key role in the Canberra comeback, while Edrick Lee demonstrated his attacking prowess scoring a double.

South Sydney will lament their poor execution late in the match, while the accolades afforded to try scorers Chris McQueen (100 NRL Games) and Greg Inglis (50 Tries for South Sydney) will feel rather hollow considering yet another loss.

While the Rabbitohs will likely have John Sutton back after the representative weekend, centre Dylan Walker faces an anxious wait after sustaining a knee injury in the second half which may see the Test centre miss an extended period.

After the representative weekend, South Sydney will play host to competition leaders St. George Illawarra Dragons on Monday night, while the Raiders will be hoping to claim their first win at GIO Stadium for the year against the Titans on Saturday afternoon.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Luke Keary
2 points - Kurt Baptiste
1 point - Edrick Lee

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (22)
Tries: Chris McQueen, Bryson Goodwin, Greg Inglis, Luke Keary
Field Goals:
Conversions: Issac Luke (3/4)
Penalty Goals:

CANBERRA RAIDERS (30)
Tries: Jordan Rapana, Edrick Lee (2), Shannon Boyd, Josh Papalii, Blake Austin
Field Goals:
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (2/6)
Penalty Goals: Jarrod Croker (1/1)

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Round 8 Sunday Football between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canberra Raiders from Barlow Park, Cairns.

As we reach the final game of the ANZAC Round, Souths will be hoping a change of scenery will produce a win, while the Raiders will be looking for back-to-back wins for the first time in 2015.

For the Rabbitohs, with Adam Reynolds out injured they will field yet another halves pairing with captain Greg Inglis moving from fullback to five-eighth. This allows Alex Johnston to play at fullback, while Aaron Gray will make his first grade debut on the wing.

For the Raiders, coach Ricky Stuart has maintained the same squad named on Tuesday, with Paul Vaughan coming into the starting side following the departure of Dane Tilse.

South Sydney will be looking to secure their third straight victory in Cairns after wins over the Titans (30-24) and Knights (50-10) in the past two seasons.

Canberra will be out to overcome the recent formline between the two clubs, with the Raiders winning once in the past seven clashes.

Stay tuned at halftime for the announcement of the Australian side to play New Zealand next Friday.

Kick-off only a few minutes away.

In other news, Penrith have come from behind to defeat Cronulla 26-18, in front of 12,798 fans at Pepper Stadium. Lewis Brown was awarded the RSL ANZAC Medal. Stay tuned to League Unlimited.com for full match report...

Paul Vaughan takes the first run of the afternoon.

1: Joel Reddy makes a good run on the kick return.

1: Souths already over halfway on the third tackle.

1: Jack Wighton is able to clean up Luke Keary's grubber.

2: Aaron Gray tackles Josh Hodgson high. Penalty to Canberra.

3: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Jordan Rapana. Kick to come.
Great try to Rapana. An offload from Paul Vaughan sets up the try.

4: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker unsuccessful.
From the sideline, Croker's kick is well wide.

6: Glenn Stewart loses the ball.

6: In the hit with Glenn Stewart, Edrick Lee races 40 metres to touch down. Video Referee has indicated a Try.

6: Great hit from Iosia Soliola forces the ball loose.

6: Video Referee has ruled No Try. Edrick Lee ruled to have denied Dylan Walker an opportunity. Souths penalty.

8: Joel Reddy loses the ball in a try scoring position. Good work from Inglis at 5/8 and Johnston at fullback.

10: Tom Burgess offloads to Greg Inglis, but the pass is penalised. Had Inglis gotten into the clear it was a certain try.

10: Josh Hodgson is tackled only metres short of the line.

11: Jack Wighton's pass was far too high for Edrick Lee. Had it been on target Canberra would have been in again.

11: So far the Raiders have looked strong in attack, but the Rabbitohs have been able to make metres without trouble.

12: Issac Luke kicks and forces Edrick Lee in-goal. Line drop out.

13: Chris McQueen looks to have scored in his 100th NRL game. Video Referee is checking to see that the ball is on the line and not short.

13: It looks to have come down short.

13: No Try. Changeover, last tackle.

15: Souths put the bomb up, but Jordan Rapana is able to take it.

15: Chris Grevsmuhl has been placed on report for a shot on Rapana. There didn't appear to be much in the tackle.

17: Keary bombs and the Souths kick chase forces Sisa Waqa in goal. Line drop out.

18: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Chris McQueen. Kick to come.
He was denied a few minutes ago, but in his 100th game, McQueen charges over.

19: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
From close to the posts, Luke puts the Rabbitohs in front.

20: Souths lose the ball through George Burgess. Canberra will have a scrum inside the Rabbitohs half.

21: On the first tackle, Blake Austin loses the ball.

23: Inglis puts a bit too much on a fifth tackle grubber.

23: But Souths get a penalty for a shoulder charge.

24: Jordan Rapana almost picks up an intercept but can't gather the ball up.

25: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Bryson Goodwin. Kick to come.
Beautiful try to South Sydney. Luke Keary chips for the unmarked Goodwin to score.

27: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
From the sideline, Luke fades the ball and nails the conversion.

28: Jarrod Croker kicks the ball over the dead ball line. Penalty to South Sydney.

29: Alex Johnston tries to bat on a pass to Joel Reddy but the former Eel can't gather the ball.

30: A huge forward pass has gone unnoticed. Canberra on the attack.

31: After a strong start, the Raiders haven't been able to maintain their aggression. Souths on top.

31: Penalty to Rabbitohs. Jordan Rapana runs behind his Edrick Lee.

32: Souths lose the ball 10 metres out after a strong tackle by Josh Papalii on Jason Clark.

33: Penalty to Canberra. Kurt Baptiste is on replacing Josh Hodgson.

34: Alex Johnston is on spot to pick up Sam Williams' bomb.

34: Chris McQueen makes a great break, finding Alex Johnston who is pulled down near the try line.

35: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Greg Inglis. Kick to come.
On the next play, Greg Inglis takes on the line and slams the ball down.

36: Inglis scores his 50th try for the Rabbitohs.

36: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke unsuccessful.
From close to the posts, Luke pushes the kick to the left.

37: Luke Keary loses the ball trying to kick. Souths very much on top coming into halftime.

38: Jordan Rapana earns a penalty. If the Raiders can score just before halftime they'll be right back in the match.

39: Canberra fail to capitalise on field position and give the Rabbitohs the ball back.

40: Aaron Gray is taken in a strong tackle as the halftime siren sounds.

40: Stay tuned for the naming of the Kangaroos side for Friday nights test.

40: Australian Team for Test Match v New Zealand
1. Billy Slater* (Subject to Medical)
2. Alex Johnston - Debut
3. Will Chambers - Debut
4. Greg Inglis
5. Josh Dugan - Debut
6. Johnathan Thurston
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Matt Scott
9. Cameron Smith (C)
10. Aaron Woods
11. Greg Bird
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Corey Parker
14. Luke Lewis
15. Trent Merrin - Debut
16. Nate Myles
17. James Tamou
18th Man: Daly Cherry-Evans
19th Man: Michael Jennings
20th Man: Josh Papalii

40: Michael Jennings will come into the side should Billy Slater fail the Medical on Tuesday.
Josh Papalii will come into the side should Greg Bird be suspended fro his tackle on Ryan Hoffman.

40: Tim Grant takes the first run of the second half.

40: Greg Inglis is down, but will stay on the field.

41: Penalty to Canberra.

42: Possible try to Edrick Lee. Great work from Jack Wighton sets up the try.

42: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Edrick Lee. Kick to come.
From the sideline, Lee manages to get the ball down for the try.

43: After being denied a first half try, Lee scores his first try of 2015.

43: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker unsuccessful.
Croker just can't quite get the ball between the posts.

45: Sam Williams puts the ball high but Joel Reddy is able to clean up and earns a penalty.

45: Tim Grant is down after a solid legs tackle from Kurt Baptiste.

46: Jarrod Croker takes Luke Keary's bomb.

47: Kurt Baptiste makes a great run, finds Edrick Lee but is pulled down close to the line.

47: Shannon Boyd has made his way over the line but the referee has ruled No Try. Looking at the grounding.

48: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Shannon Boyd. Kick to come.
As he did last week, the Raiders bench prop barges over the line.

49: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
From right in front, Croker reduces the margin to 2 points.

50: Kurt Baptiste has shown great spark for the Raiders, he was a big part of the comeback against the Tigers and has proved dangerous today.

51: Josh Papalii is down injured but play has continued.

51: Alex Johnston makes a great break putting the Rabbitohs on the attack.

52: Luke Keary runs a great line but is tackled short of the line.

52: Edrick Lee is tackled in goal. Line drop out.

53: Inglis delivers a great ball for Goodwin who can't gather it up. Raiders scrum.

56: Neither side is making any great impact at the moment.

57: Souths lose the ball close to their line. Big chance for Canberra here.

58: For the second time today, Blake Austin loses the ball on the first tackle. Terrible play from Canberra.

58: Dylan Walker is down with a knee injury, receiving treatment at the moment.

59: Cameron McInnes comes on for his first football of the day replacing Dylan Walker.

60: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Luke Keary. Kick to come.
After a break down the sideline, Bryson Goodwin grubbers ahead and sets up his halfback.

61: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
From close to the sideline, Luke pushes the Rabbitohs ahead by more than a converted try.

61: Jack Wighton manage to take Inglis' bomb despite a strong challenge.

61: Josh Hodgson finds touch inside the South Sydney 40 metres. Canberra on the attack.

62: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Josh Papalii. Kick to come.
Blake Austin puts his second rower into a hole. Canberra are still in the match.

63: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
Croker converts.

66: Great run from Frank-Paul Nu'uausa, Canberra on the attack.

66: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Blake Austin. Kick to come.
After a great run, Blake Austin puts the Raiders in front.

67: Canberra have been able to stick with the Rabbitohs all day and are now in a position to take the match.

67: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker unsuccessful.
Croker hits the posts and the scores are only 2 points apart.

69: Canberra are denied a chance to extend their lead after a contest between Rapana and Goodwin.

70: Inglis loses the ball and the Raiders have a chance on halfway.

71: Hodgson takes on the line but Issac Luke takes him in a great tackle.

71: Chris McQueen saves a try with a diving take, Jarrod Croker was only a metre from the ball.

72: Issac Luke loses the ball. If Canberra can score here they should be good enough to claim an unlikely victory.

72: Crowd announced as 8,713.

72: Canberra are awarded a penalty, Jarrod Croker elects to attempt the 2 points.

73: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CANBERRA RAIDERS
Penalty goal attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
From in front the Raiders extend the lead to 4.

74: Big shot on Shaun Fensom from Tom Burgess.

74: Sam Williams finds touch 10 metres out from the Rabbitohs line.

76: Souths put a kick in that goes dead. Poor choice from Aaron Gray.

77: Jarrad Kennedy is tackled only a metre out from the line.

77: Possible try to Edrick Lee. Sam Williams elected to chip for his winger for the win.

77: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Edrick Lee. Kick to come.
Ricky Stuart is celebrating. The Raiders lead by 8 with only minutes remaining.

77: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker unsuccessful.
Croker misses, but a 30-22 should be enough.

79: Chris McQueen comes up with the ball from the kickoff.

79: Joel Reddy dives over the line, but the referee calls No Try.

79: NO TRY. Canberra Win.

80: Josh Hodgson puts the ball over the sideline and the Raiders pull off a 30-22 win.