The South Sydney Rabbitohs have put on a red and green rampage at ANZ Stadium as they took a very impressive 56-16 victory over the Manly Sea Eagles at ANZ Stadium.
Perfection, is the only word that could describe the first half from the Rabbitohs as they managed to run in six tries in the opening 40 minutes.
Steven Marsters couldn't have asked for a better start to his NRL debut after he was able to cross in the corner after Cody Walker drew defenders in before he was able to find Latrell Mitchell who in-turn found Marsters who was able to cross.
Although Souths found space down their right, it was their left-hand side that had the most fun against the Manly defence. Souths first foray down the left came just two minutes after the first try when off the back of a Tom Burgess burst through the middle, Alex Johnston was able to get over.
Things went from bad to worse for Manly as South Sydney managed to make easy metres through the middle before Alex Johnston was able to get over for a second. However, in the process Johnston was collected high by Tevita Funa who was subsequently sent to the sin bin by referee Gerard Sutton. The try was compounded for Manly with the fact that it became an 8-point try and Manly fell 20-0 down after just 17 minutes.
The South Sydney try-scoring rampage continued when Campbell Graham scored a double down the left hand-side with a 19th minute effort and a 35th minute effort. The Rabbitohs were also denied a try by the officials who ruled that Adam Reynolds was caught short of the line.
Souths completed their first half rout when Latrell Mitchell swooped on a Tevita Funa pass on his own line to give Mitchell one of the easiest tries of his career. Adam Reynolds conversion pushed the Souths lead out to 38-0 at the break.
The second half turned out to be a much better start for the Sea Eagles as they were able to get the first two tries of the halves as Jack Gosiewski got over off a good run through Curtis Sironen. The Sea Eagles second try came just after the hour mark when Daly Cherry-Evans was able to kick over the head of Campbell Graham for Reuben Garrick who scored and converted his own try to close the gap to 28 points.
The floodgates reopened for South Sydney as the Bunnies were able to put three tries together in quick succession as Tevita Tatola, Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell were able to get over the line during a five-minute period. Manly finished the game with a bright spot as Reuben Garrick got over in the final minute to score and after his own conversion, Manly eventually fell to a 56-16 defeat.
Next weekend, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have a Thursday night blockbuster up against the Parramatta Eels whilst things get tougher for Manly as they take on the Melbourne Storm next Sunday.