It is Fulltime and the Rabbitohs have first blood over their bitter rivals in 2019, defeating the defending premiers 26-16 in an enthralling contest in the wet at the SCG. Stay tuned for the Match Report and 3,2,1's @LeagueUnlimited!
The Roosters throw the ball around and Luke Keary grubbers for the in goal but Alex Johnston takes it dead and it flung over the line by Latrell Mitchell and Sam Burgess is in to him!
Latrell Mitchell misses from the sideline.
Daniel Tupou crashes over in the corner and the Roosters have a sniff.
Cooper Cronk and Luke Keary combine to put Brett Morris away inches from the sideline, he then speeds down field and chips over Alex Johnston but can't get the ball down. Rabbitohs knock it dead.
Tevita Tatola loses the ball close to the line. Roosters still an outside chance if they can make a big play in this set.
Adam Reynolds now targets Daniel Tupou with a high kick and Tupou spills it. Souths scrum 12m out.
Adam Reynolds nails the conversion. Souths lead 26-12.
Adam Reynolds is on fire! Off the scrum play, hits his fullback wide and Alex Johnston slides over to score.
Adam Reynolds turns the screws and kicks in goal using the wet conditions. Daniel Tupou trapped in goal. Drop out Roosters.
Luke Keary throws a flick pass to nobody and it goes forward. Roosters a bit rattled.
Adam Reynolds gets a kick in goal but it rolls dead. Roosters 20m tap.
Luke Keary throws a forward pass to Angus Crichton. Rabbits scrum 35m from their own line.
Adam Reynolds adds the extras. Souths lead 20-12.
Adam Reynolds again kicks for the upright and it bounces directly to Cody Walker who scores! Souths lead 18-12 kick to come.
INJURY UPDATE - Luke Keary looks to have a shoulder injury. He stays on the field, looks ok.
VIDEO REF - NO TRY - Boyd Cordner charges over in the wet, however replays show he is short and Sam Burgess then holds him up and knocks the ball away. Big effort from the English international. Try saver.
Campbell Graham spills a kick on the last and six more to the Roosters.
Adam Reynolds misses from the sideline. Score remains 14-12
Souths find some space to the left and Cody Walker and Braidon Burns combine to find John Sutton who puts Campbell Graham over in the corner! Souths lead 14-12.
Adam Reynolds grubbers close to the line and James Tedesco spills it. Reynolds picks it up but is held up by Luke Keary. Dropout Roosters take #2.
Adam Reynolds punts the ball high to Campbell Graham but James Tedesco is equal to the task. Super take but it is a dropout for the Roosters.
Mark Nicholls loses possession. Bad error. Roosters off the hook again.
Penalty Rabbitohs - Against Isaac Liu on Sam Burgess. Souths find the line 43m out as the rain picks up.
We are underway in the Second Half!
It is Halftime! Despite the Rabbitohs looking the most comfortable, two late tries from the Roosters put them in front 12-10 at the break. Great game here at the SCG, so stayed tuned for all the action @LeagueUnlimited!
Roosters put some heat down the right hand side, but James Tedesco throws a tip on that floats forward to Brett Morris. Souths scrum 10m from their own line.
Liam Knight with a loose carry. Roosters now with a scrum just short of halfway.
Adam Reynolds hoists the ball high on the last and Daniel Tupou takes the catch and is hammered by Greg Inglis. Roosters looking to hold on until the break.
Latrell Mitchell adds the extras. Roosters lead 12-10.
Cooper Cronk finds some space on the right hand side and Mitchell Aubusson steams onto the ball to score! 10 all kick to come!
Luke Keary bombs for the corner, Alex Johnston is there but he is stripped of possession one on one by Latrell Mitchell! Huge play! Roosters turn the tables and are on the attack!
Adam Reynolds slices it wide. Score remains 10-0 to the Bunnies.
Damien Cook grubbers close to the line and Sam Burgess reads it like a book and dives on the ball to score! Superb try! Souths lead 10-0 kick to come.
Penalty Souths - Siosiua Taukeiaho punches the ball out of Liam Knight's hands. Souths find the line 23m out.
Latrell Mitchell makes no mistake and it is 6 all.
Jake Friend throws a dummy close to the line and fools Mark Nicholls to score! Souths lead 6-4 kick to come for Latrell Mitchell.
Dane Gagai continues the procession of handling errors. Bit of light rain proving difficult at the SCG. Roosters scrum 40m out.
Braidon Burns tries to tip on to Campbell Graham close to the line but knocks on. Roosters scrum 10m from their own line.
Brett Morris now returns the favour, loses possession in the same fashion and Rabbitohs have the scrum 22m out!
Sam Burgess tries to get the quick play the ball but loses possession. Roosters off the hook!
Penalty Souths - Luke Keary lying all over Adam Reynolds close to the line. Souths take the tap!
Braidon Burns makes a break down the left hand side and flicks it out the back to Alex Johnston with the try line at his mercy! Scrum Roosters 10m from their own line.
Adam Reynolds lands the conversion right next to the post. Souths lead 6-0.
VIDEO REF - TRY! Adam Reynolds grubbers towards the left upright. Siosiua Taukeiaho attempts to pick up the ball but Cameron Murray dives over the top to ground the ball! Rabbits lead 4-0 kick to come.
Backline move from the Roosters and James Tedesco bats the ball for Tupou but the ball goes into touch. Scrum Rabbitohs just short of halfway.
VIDEO REF - NO TRY - Greg Inglis bounces away from multiple defenders close to the line but Luke Keary somehow gets underneath him and holds him up.
Cody Walker kicks high for Greg Inglis on the last but Latrell Mitchell takes it and is then forced in goal. Dropout Roosters.
Jake Friend slices through and fires a pass wide to Joseph Manu who looks for Brett Morris who passes for Braidon Burns who takes possession for the Bunnies. Jake Friend is then penalised for taking him into touch after the tackle has been completed.
Damien Cook grubbers from dummy half but it is trapped by Luke Keary and he is tackled 12m from his own line. Roosters fans breathe a sigh of relief.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves takes a second hit up but loses possession. Rabbitohs scrum 43m out. Big chance early!
We are underway at the SCG! Jared Waerea-Hargreaves brings it out from his own in goal and is met by a wall of Rabbitohs defenders!
Welcome the SCG where the latest chapter from the oldest rivalry in the game is about to kick off between the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs. In a positive sign for both sides, there are no pre-match mind games with both teams 1-17. With these bitter rivals at full strength to kick off the 2019 season, this promises to be the game of the round! Stay tuned for all the action from the classic showdown between the Chooks and the Bunnies @LeagueUnlimited! Kickoff not far away!
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Grant Atkins, Gavin Badger
Touch Judges: Michael Wise, Chris Butler
Video Referee: Jared Maxwell, Ben Galea
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (16)
Tries: Jake Friend, Mitchell Aubusson, Daniel Tupou
Field Goals:
Conversions: Latrell Mitchell (2/3)
Penalty Goals:
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (26)
Tries: Cameron Murray, Sam Burgess, Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Alex Johnston
Field Goals:
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (3/5)
Penalty Goals: