Rabbits' burrowing not enough to skin Roosters

The Sydney Roosters have held on to beat the South Sydney Rabbitohs tonight, victorious 22-20 at the Sydney Football Stadium after earlier leading by 22-0, in front of a crowd of 18,127.

The Roosters led 14-0 at halftime, goalkicking costing them dearly as Craig Fitzgibbon kicked just one goal from three attempts. They went on with things after the break, quick tries to Sam Perrett and Braith Anasta putting them 22-0 up and the floodgates looked ready to open - but the Rabbitohs weren't as willing.

Dominating possession, the Rabbitohs fought back with two quick tries and trailed by 12 with twenty remaining. The points kept flowing from the 70-minute mark, two more tries suddenly bringing them within two points in the final moments.

The Rabbits will be rueing missed opportunity close to fulltime as they worked the ball off their own line - a long kick coming within centimetres of the Roosters' 20 metre line, which would've earned them an attacking scrum-feed.

The Rabbitohs don't move on the ladder however the Roosters do secure a top four position with the victory. It won't please many fans though - giving up twenty points late in the game is something that won't rub in finals footy and it could cost them.

Next week's final round will see the Roosters host the Dragons at the same venue, while the Rabbitohs travel south to Melbourne to farewell their 2008 season.

Match Details Sydney Roosters 22 def South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Round 25 - Friday August 29th, 2008 7:35pm Venue: Sydney Football Stadium Referee: Steve Lyons Touch Judges: David Abood, Gerard Sutton Video Referee: Bill Harrigan Halftime: Roosters 14 Rabbitohs 0 Crowd: 18,127

Sydney Roosters 22 Tries: Amos Roberts, Mitchell Aubusson, Anthony Tupou, Sam Perrett, Braith Anasta Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (1/5)

South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Tries: Nathan Merritt, John Sutton, Issac Luke, Luke Capewell Goals: Issac Luke (1/2), Chris Sandow (1/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 points: Mitchell Pearce (Roosters) 2 points: Issac Luke (Rabbitohs) 1 points: Braith Anasta (Roosters)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
ROOSTERS:1. Sam Perrett 2. Amos Roberts 3. Mitchell Aubusson 4. Setaimata Sa 5. Brent Grose 6. Braith Anasta 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Mark O'Meley 9. James Aubusson 10. Nate Myles 11. Willie Mason 12. Anthony Tupou 13. Craig Fitzgibbon Interchange: 14. Lopini Paea 15. David Shillington 16. Sia Soliola 17. Jake Friend RABBITOHS: 1. Nathan Merritt 2. Luke Capewell 3. Fetuli Talanoa 4. Beau Champion 5. Jamie Simpson 6. Craig Wing 7. Chris Sandow 8. Scott Geddes 9. Issac Luke 10. Roy Asotasi (c) 11. Luke Stuart 12. David Fa