South Sydney Rabbitohs won 10 straight games for the first time since 1989 as they beat Gold Coast Titans 36-6 this afternoon at Robina.
The Rabbitohs became the first team in the history of Australian rugby league to post eight straight scores of 30 plus headlined by another stellar performance by fullback Latrell Mitchell and five-eighth Cody Walker saw them dust off the Titans in style.
From the opening whistle, the Rabbitohs looked a class above and proved that in hopping to a 24-nil lead at half-time. Cody Walker was his usual energetic self with a pair of try-assists which takes him to 37 for the season. Mitchell and Reynolds also found the stripe in the one-sided half.
Despite all the bluster from Gold Coast Titans this season, it has been a disappointing campaign. They went set-for-set in the early stages but when the fire was lit, Gold Coast folded quickly and often. Their spot in the top eight is hanging on by a thread but even if they make it, 2021 hasn't been the vibrant restart they expected with their big signings from the off-season.
Called into the side for the injured Dane Gagai, Braidon Burns showed that the backline is plug and play with tries in each half. Winger Josh Mansour bagged himself a double with consumate ease as the Rabbitohs attacking juggernaut rolled on. Souths 36 points today gave them their highest scoring season ever and the promise of plenty more to come with three weeks left in the season.
The X-Factor for the Rabbitohs headed into their tilt at the Premiership is their custodian, Latrell Mitchell. Some of Mitchell's runs were destructive today including a counter attack from a Titans kick which he steamrolled Titans fullback AJ Brimson. Mitchell opened the scoring himself from a well-worked scrum play and was in the mood to be dangerous against the pretender Titans.
Once Souths had got themselves out to suitable lead, the cardinal and myrtle cruised through the second half. Adam Reynolds went well past the 100 goals mark for the season with six goals today which included two penalty goals. Coach Wayne Bennett will be delighted with his side's defense though, they kept the Titans to single digits and kept showing up despite having the game well in hand.
Corey Thompson got some late consolation for the Titans. The winger finished off the best movement of the afternoon from the Gold Coast side which saw him walk in a four-pointer to make it 32-6. Questions again might be asked about coach Justin Holbrook's use of his star forward David Fifita who came off the bench again. Titans face another huge test against Melbourne Storm before games against Newcastle and New Zealand to finish out.