Bulldogs beat down rival Rabbitohs

v BYE

The Canterbury Bulldogs executed a dominating first half performance to demolish the South Sydney Rabbitohs 42-12 at ANZ Stadium on Good Friday.  

It was a complete walkover in the first half which started with a try from William Hopoate in the third minute.

Sam Perrett made 30 metres down the right channel, he had defenders between himself and the try line so a small chip kick in field allowed Hopoate to score uncontested and closer to the posts.

Up to the 32^nd minute Canterbury had completed all 18 of their sets, held 70 per cent of possession, scored six tries, almost doubled the amount of metres gained over the Rabbitohs and led 32-0.

The half time margin of 32-0 was the biggest deficit put on the Rabbitohs with Michael McGuire as coach in one half.

For South Sydney they sorely missed the presence of Sam Burgess up front and a host of other star talent among the likes of Adam Reynolds, John Sutton, Thomas Burgess and Alex Johnston.

After the demoralising first half they managed to outscore Canterbury 12-10 in the second period.

Moses Mbye showed class beyond his years as he was the main playmaker providing try assists to dismantle the South Sydney.

His performance included a try in the seventh minute when he dummied from a set play five metres out from the line at left field to cut against the motion of the shifting Rabbitohs defence to score.

South Sydney put together a respectable six minute period where Michael Oldfield and Chris Grevsmuhl were able to cross the chalk. Both tries were set up by either Luke Keary or Cody Walker taking on the line and making a late pass to put one of their teammates through to the backfield.

Josh Morris scored a first half double in his 200th NRL game. He opened his account in the 16th minute when Tony Williams offloaded and carried three defenders over the sideline, Mbye raced to the line and passed for Morris to avoid an attempted ankle tap to score on the left wing.

Ten minutes later Paul Carter, who possibly had the worst game of his NRL career amassing four handling errors, was forced back into the in goal by the Bulldogs defence and Morris was able score the simplest of tries from Carter's dropped ball.

Josh Reynolds was able to celebrate his 100th NRL game in style and he gained a try assist by setting up Chase Stanley, in his 99th NRL game, with an inside ball from five metres out to run between the line and score.

Next week the South Sydney will hope they get Sam Burgess back for a match against the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval on Thursday night. Canterbury will return to Belmore for a clash with the Canberra Raiders on Monday night.