Quick-Start Rabbitohs demolish Panthers

A dream start for the South Sydney Rabbitohs saw them collect their first victory of the 2012 NRL season. A error-filled Penrith Panthers collapsed at home go down 40-24 at Centrebet Stadium in front of 13,876.

The Rabbitohs started strongly with all the possession in their favour. The first points came within the first two minutes. Debutante Andrew Everinghame claimed his first try in Souths colours as a marvellous flick pass from captain Matt King sent him over. Adam Reynolds had a perfect day with the boot to convert the four-pointer, 6-0 Rabbtiohs.

Roy Asotasi continued the quick start for the Rabbitohs as their second try was added three minutes later. Asotasi powered under the posts to beat the shellshocked Panthers defence. Reynolds with the conversion, Rabbitohs 12-0.

It's always exciting to see the big man use his genes to smash over the goal line. Dave Taylor did exactly that with his skills displayed as he grubbered for himself to muscle over the stripe. Reynolds no mistake with the kick to add the extras. Rabbitohs led 18-0 after 12 minutes.

The Panthers got their hands on the ball and the field territory with it which saw them finally cross the whitewash. Kevin Kingston ran off a Lachlan Coote ball to get Penrith on the board after 23 minutes, 18-6.

South Sydney started their spiral downwards with those Penrith points. It didn't quickly improve as the Panthers scored back-to-back four-pointers heading into the break. Travis Burns displayed his footwork to step around the tired Rabbitohs defence to make the scoreboard more respectful. Luke Walsh nailed the conversion to close gap to 18-12.

The opening forty minutes closed with Adam Reynolds successfully converting two penalty goals from in front of sticks. The second penalty saw Sam McKendry placed on report for making contact with legs of the kicker. 

Much like the first half, the South Sydney side started white-hot. It took only one minute and ten seconds to demolish over the line to claim their fourth try. Greg Inglis' move to the fullback role was an interesting decision but it paid dividends as his strength gifted him points. Rabbitohs extended to 26-12.

Although the Panthers obtained some possession in the second half, the points continued to leak. Chris McQueen muscled his way over the littler defender in Coote to plant the ball down. Reynolds successfully converted to claim a perfect strike-rate. Souths Sydney widened the gap over their opposition with 30 minutes on the clock, 34-12. 

Down, but not out were the Panthers as Travis Burns 'pulled a rabbit out of a hat' to come up with points. Burns' kicked for the line but seemed stopped by King, but not so as Burns' collected the ball back and went over. Walsh's kick kept the Panthers hope alive as the gap closed to 34-18 with 20 minutes left.

Both sides fell victim to a high error count which gave up opportunities for further points. With the Rabbitohs on top continued to extend their lead. Big man Taylor, after a long stint on the bench injected himself and crashed over for his second try. Rabbitohs with 10 minutes to go in front 40-18.

Nevertheless, the Panthers were not quite finished with their attack on the Rabbitohs line. Nathan Smith isolated a lazy Matt King and cleaned up the lose ball to add his name to the try-scorers list. Walsh added the final points of the match with his conversion, 40-24.

Souths half, Adam Reynolds targeted the goal line in the final moments. However video referee Sean Hampstead denied him points as the ball was knocked out short of the line. Panthers not punished at the death with more points. However the Panthers looked to steal the final moment as Blake Austin streaked away. He took an intercept pass but it wasn't to be with Shaun Corrigan out pacing him to stop his run.

The race to the corner concluded the embarrassing loss for the Panthers as they were defeated by the South Sydney club 40-24. They will hope to back up their performance with a short turnaround win in Perth when they clash with the Brisbane Broncos. Meanwhile the Penrith squad will travel east to met the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night.

Match Details
Penrith Panthers 24 were defeated by South Sydney Rabbitohs 40
National Rugby League - Round 3 - Sunday March 18, 2012 3:00pm
Venue: Centrebet Stadium, Penrith
Referee: Gavin Badger and Brett Suttor
Video Referee: Sean Hampstead
Touch Judges: Adam Gee and Dave Munro
Crowd: 13,876
Halftime: Penrith Panthers 12 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Greg Inglis (1 Try)
2 Points - Issac Luke
1 Point - Dave Taylor (2 Tries)

Penrith Panthers (24)
Tries: Travis Burns (2), Nathan Smith, Kevin Kingston
Conversions: Luke Walsh (4/4)

South Sydney Rabbitohs (40)
Tries: Roy Asotasi, Greg Inglis, Dave Taylor (2), Chris McQueen, Andrew Everingham
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (6/6)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (2/2)

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You can also discuss the match with thousands of other fans in our Game Day Forums - click here. Welcome to Sunday Afternoon Rugby League as we bring you the final match-up in on this marvellous day.

Earlier in Under 20's Toyota Cup action. The Penrith Panthers side failed to claim the two competition points as they were defeated by the South Sydney Rabbitohs 30-24.

TEAM CHANGES:

Panthers: Sandor Earl is out to be replaced by David Simmons (19). The interchange bench sees Nafe Seluini (14) come off with Danny Galea (18) and Ryan Simpkins (20) added. Simpkins will be making his Penrith debut.

Rabbitohs: An interesting change as Greg Inglis has been shifted to fullback with Dylan Farrell moving into the centres. The rest of the team is as per the program.

We are not long until kick off here at Centrebet Stadium. The Rabbitohs will be hungry for their first win of the 2012 season, whilst the Panthers will look to go back-to-back.
Moments away from kick off here in Penrith. The crowd has built up to around 12,000 people on this wonderful afternoon.
South Sydney through the boot of Dylan Farrell have kicked us off here to get us underway.
1 min: KNOCK ON! Terrible start for the Panthers, losing control of the kick off. Scrum feed will pack down for the Rabbitohs on the Panthers 10 metre line.
2 min: TRY
TRY! Rabbitohs
Captain Matt King has set up Andrew Everingham with a great flick pass to score. Quick start from the visitors as the conversion nailed by Adam Reynolds from the out wide.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 6-0
4 min: John Sutton with a great kick to complete the set and it was collected by Coote before he was collected by the Rabbitohs defence.
5 min: Greg Inglis with his first challenge at fullback doing well under the high ball and racings up to the 30 metre line.
5 min: TRY
TRY! Rabbitohs
The Panthers look shellshocked as the Rabbitohs cross with their second four-pointer. Roy Asotasi diving under the posts following a line break from John Sutton. Reynolds next to the posts converts the Souths second try.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12-0
8 min: Great defence coming from the Rabbitohs holding them just short of their 30 metre line. Panthers go forward attack isn't matching the high tensity which the Rabbitohs are playing with.
9 min: Penalty to the Rabbitohs for the Panthers being inside the 10 metres (offside)
11 min: Luke Walsh with a wobbly effort downfield and almost goes out on the full. However bounced just short into touch. As a result the Rabbitohs have a scrum feed on halfway.
12 min: Video Referee Decision pending for a wandering dead ball line try for Dave Taylor.
12 min: TRY
TRY! Rabbitohs
No words can describe that amazing effort from the big man Dave Taylor. He placed a grubber kick for himself to the in-goal area and raced through and planted it inside the dead ball line. Reynolds makes no mistake with the boot to convert the try.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 18-0
13 min: Andrew Everingham almost gifted the Rabbitohs a penalty with the kick restart just short of the dead ball line. He runs it out to the 10 metre line.
15 min: Panthers only making 30 metres in their set as they complete it with a kick on halfway. Rabbitohs defence strong so far.
16 min: Adam Reynolds kicking downfield and the ball goes into touch. Panthers will get a scrum feed on the 10 metre line. They are slow to pack the scrum, the visitors are certainly playing with more energy.
17 min: Inglis catching the kick one handed before he offloaded it to Brad Tighe. Rabbtiohs making 80 metres across the field with that play. They are yet to make an error as their game is textbook.
19 min: Luke Walsh with a big kick downfield from halfway which falls just short of the goal line, but rolls into touch. Rabbitohs pack and win the scrum feed to play it on their 10 metre line.
21 min: Penalty to the Panthers, first mistake from the Rabbitohs as they are pinged for being inside the 10 metres (offside).
23 min: TRY
TRY! Panthers
Dayne Weston starting the movement forward creating the second phase play. Lachlan Coote breaking through the line to then find Kevin Kingston to crash over the line. Luke Walsh no issues with the conversion.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 18-6
26 min: Adam Reynolds with a great kick, controlling the game with a scrum feed packing down for the Panthers on their 10 metre line.
28 min: KNOCK ON! Clint Newton trying to create second phase play as he popped it out to Kingston but he lost it before Walsh knocked it on. Rabbitohs with a big chance to add to the scoreboard with a scrum feed only 20 metres out from the line.
28 min: Terrible last tackle option from the Rabbitohs, the defence of the Panthers holding. The quality of the Souths play slipping away in the last few minutes.
29 min: Penalty to the Panthers for a hand on the ball which knocked it free. They opt for the free kick which finds the touchline line seven metres short of the halfway line.
30 min: Another penalty given away by the Rabbitohs. Hand on the ball with the push forward of Penrith picking up in he last few plays. Opportunity for them to claim their second.
32 min: TRY
TRY! Panthers
Travis Burns with magical footwork to step around the Rabbtiohs defence to put it down beside the uprights. Luke Walsh nails the kick to add the extras.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 18-12
35 min: The Rabbitohs energy has certainly fallen away in the second half of this opening 40 minutes. Panthers starting to get a few sets and their plays are sticking.
37 min: Penalty to the Rabbitohs as Adam Reynolds was cleaned up by Sam McKendry. He has been placed on report for the tackle on Reynolds. He attacked his legs and therefore brought him down.
37 min: PENALTY GOAL
GOAL! Rabbtiohs
Reynolds plots the kick over the posts following the penalty.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 20-12
39 min: Another Penalty, this time against Chris Armit for a similar incident as the Sam McKendry penalty. A shoulder charge the claim from the referee on John Sutton as he attempted a kick downfield.
40 min: PENALTY GOAL
GOAL! Rabbitohs
Adam Reynolds in a similar position to the previous penalty goal. His kick successful as he splits the posts to bring up the half time siren.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 22-12
Here at Centrebet Stadium the half time break sees the Rabbtiohs 22 leading the Panthers 12.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs started white-hot as they ran in 3 quick tries in the opening 12 minutes which shellshocked the Panthers. It started to go downhill after the penalty for being offside come the 21st minute. After that, the Rabbitohs dropped off and started to look disorganised heading in to the break. If the Panthers are going to continue their fight back they need to spread the ball wide and push through the tiring Rabbitohs defensive line.
40 min: We are underway in the second half. First penalty to start this match going to the Rabbitohs for the Panthers not getting off the tackled player.
41 min: TRY
TRY! Rabbitohs
Following the penalty the Rabbitohs have gone the length of the field to add a try after only one minute and ten seconds. Greg Inglis powering over the line. Reynolds wonderful hooking kick to add the two points.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 26-12
45 min: Zero tackle for the Panthers as Everingham gets a hand on the ball. Another set for the Panthers.
46 min: 20 metre tap for the Rabbitohs, but pull up before the Referees were ready. So Rabbitohs will have the ball for a set 20 metres out from their line.
47 min: Penalty to the Panthers for the Souths markers not being square. Big opportunity to add more points on the board as they attack 20metres out.
47 min: Knock on against Sam Burgess. Panthers with another shot at the Souths line. Rabbitohs slipping away with a few errors giving them hassle.
47 min: Penalty against the attacking team for Jennings not playing the ball square. Technical call but as a result the Rabbitohs get the penalty and escape the Panthers raid at their line.
51 min: TRY
TRY! Rabbitohs
Chris McQueen muscles over the little man in Coote to collect this third try of the season. Rabbitohs with a repeat set at the Panthers line capitalising on the possession to cross again. Reynolds making his kicking boot perfect to make it 7/7
South Sydney Rabbitohs 34-12
53 min: Wonderful 40/20 kick from John Sutton. Great opportunity to add further points against the Panthers. South Sydney have the ball from a scrum feed 14 metres out from the line.
54 min: Panthers give away a penalty to the Rabbtiohs for being inside the 10 metres. Offside the call and another chance at the Penrith line.
55 min: KNOCK ON! McQueen running into the line without the ball. Panthers let off easily with that mistake as they win the scrum feed 10 metres out from their line.
56 min: Penalty to the Panthers, kick downfield finds them just inside the Rabbitohs half.
58 min: Another penalty given away by the Rabbitohs for having a second dig in the ruck. Quick tap taken by the Panthers who are only 10 metres out from the Souths line.
60 min: Video Referee Decision pending for the Panthers. Interesting try here. Travis Burn stabbing a kick into Matt King and reclaiming it for a possible four-pointer
60 min: TRY
TRY! Panthers
Travis Burns put in an poor grubbing kick towards the goal which was originally collected by Matt King. However play not over as the ball was stolen back by Burns who fell over the line for points. Walsh adds the extras to keep the Panthers hopes alive.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 34-18
63 min: Penalty to the Rabbitohs. Free kick taken by Adam Reynolds. They will work it from the Panthers 40 metre line.
64 min: TRY
Dave Taylor crashes over the line. The Panthers defence were left swatting flies as the big man powered over the line. He dives over to collect his second of the afternoon. Adam reynolds continues his perfect kicking game.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 40-18
72 min: TRY
Matt King lazy in defence has gifted the Panthers a four-pointer. Smith racing through to pick up the mess and claim a try. Luke Walsh stabbing a quick attempt at conversion and nailed it.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 40-24
65 min: KNOCK ON! Sam Burgess getting a little excited as he was hoping for a try but in his attempt at the line dropped it. Panthers get the scrum feed.
68 min: John Sutton reaching as long as he could but knocking on. A great chance set up by Adam reynolds as he attempted a chip and chase by Sutton couldn't regather the ball. Panthers escape the raid of their line again.
74 min: The rain has started to fall here at Centrebet Stadium which could see some late errors come into the contest.
75 min: Rabbitohs losing control of the ball and Sam McKendry picking it up for the Panthers. Just making it up to halfway
76 min: VIDEO REFEREE DECISION pending for the Rabbitohs. Adam Reynolds has been on fire today and claiming his own try here.
76 min: NO TRY the ruling as Reynolds denied points for a knock on. A 50-50 call against him as the ball was knocked out. Panthers will get a scrum feed on their own 10 metre line.
78 min: Penalty to the Panthers for a hand on the ball from South Sydney.
78 min: Blake Austin losing control of the ball and giving the Rabbitohs a scrum feed just short of halfway. Panthers have been giving the ball away throughout the second half with the error count rising.
79 min: Blake Austin taken an intercept pass and racing downfield looking for points. Wonderful play from the youngest as he was eventually chased down by Shaun Corrigan. In back play Greg Inglis is down with a possible knee injury.
80 min: That is full time form Centrebet Stadium. The South Sydney Rabbitohs have claimed a victory over the Panthers 40-24 despite a slow mid-match period.