And that is the match! Penrith 42, South Sydney 12. Ben Hornby’s time as coach starts ominously similar to how Jason Demetriou’s ended
Couldn’t go the full game without a captains challenge - but Jarome Luai is still judged to have knocked on
No mistake
Sunia Turuva sets it up brilliantly with a short ball to Luke Garner who hits Izack Tago for Penrith’s 7th of the night.
Just squeezed it in
Sunia Turuva throws a ridiculous pass back inside as he goes over the sideline, and Luke Garner gets his second of the night.
Jacob Host goes to the bin for the contact ln Brad Schneider
Panthers get a penalty after Brad Schneider was hit dangerously following a kick.
Luke Garner has passed his HIA.
No mistake
Cody Walker gives up a seven tackle set, and off the quick tap Dylan Edwards gives it to Taylan May to go the full 80 metres.
No mistake
A kick by Brad Schneider is allowed to bounce and gets toed forward by Izack Tago, with Lindsay Smith the beneficiary
Souths have a half chance after a kick bounces back into their hands but Peter Mamouzelos is caught for a handover
Luke Garner has left the field for a HIA. Hearing it’s a possible ruptured quad for Dean Hawkins and a syndesmosis injury for Jye Gray
After a penalty and two set restarts, Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson knocks on.
Brian To'o knocks on a Jack Wighton bomb and Souths get a full set at the Panthers line.
Bad news for Souths with Jye Gray not coming out of the sheds due to that early ankle injury
Back underway!
And that will be half time. It was all Souths to start, but it’s been all Panthers since and they lead 18-12 at the break.
Jack Wighton goes over the line and the ball is eventually grounded, but Cameron Murray acts as a driver and the Bunker calls no try.
No mistake
It’s just another easy try for the Panthers, with a Jarome Luai short ball freeing Luke Garner to get the try.
Souths hold on once again and force another handover on the goal line.
Dean Hawkins is off the field.
Jack Wighton gets over for a try but it’s gone upstairs for a suspected obstruction, which the Bunker quickly confirms
Souths will get a repeat set after a Lindsay Smith knock on. Meanwhile Dean Hawkins went down with an upper leg injury but he is playing on.
Just when the game can’t get crazier, the kickoff hits the deck and Souths recover.
No mistake
It’s all too easy for the Panthers at the moment; as Brad Schneider just splits the defence and strolls over untouched.
Oh no… the Panthers are scrambling on the last play, eventually Brian To'o kicks a grubber and it forces an error from Keaon Koloamatangi
No mistake
It was a horrific pass from Brad Schneider, but Sunia Turuva picked up the ball and was able to slice through the Souths defence for the try.
That was one too many penalties, and Jai Arrow will need to sit down in the sin. bin.
Another penalty for an illegal strip.
After three straight set restarts, Cody Walker gives away a full penalty for a high tackle.
Brad Schneider forces a dropout.
Cody Walker makes the mistake as he passes a ball over the sideline.
No mistake.
It’s another masterclass from Cody Walker, who puts a little banana grubber in behind the defence and Dean Hawkins is the first to the ball.
Lovely sideline kick
Cody Walker fires a long ball to Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson who goes over in the corner. Sunia Turuva claims he’s stopped the try but the bunker disagrees
Izack Tago is sent to the bin for a hip drop on Jye Gray. Definitely will be looked at by the MRC tomorrow morning.
Play stopped, Jye Gray Is down with what looks like a painful ankle injury. Izack Tago could be in trouble here…
Souths hold firm on the line and force a handover.
Penrith earned a set restart, and eventually a repeat set as Dylan Edwards forces a dropout.
Oh dear… Damien Cook makes the first error of the match.
And we’re underway! The Bunnies get the ball first.
Also a massive congratulations to Damien Cook on his 200th first grade match. Almost been forgotten with Souths’ issues this week, but it’s great to see.
Penrith aren’t without their own issues, with no Nathan Cleary in this one after they opted not to risk his hamstring on a short turnaround. But they come in as clear favourites, and Souths will need to deliver to get the win in this one.
South Sydney have been the centrepiece of the media this week after sacking head coach Jason Demetriou on Tuesday night. Ben Hornby has been appointed to interim coach and his first task will be stopping a three game losing streak against the three time reigning premiers.
Welcome everyone to Round 9 of the NRL season and what an… interesting opening match of the round we have in store on this Thursday night.
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judges: Liam Kennedy, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Video Referee: Ashley Klein
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (12)
Tries: Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson, Dean Hawkins
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Dean Hawkins (2/2)
Penalty Goals:
PENRITH PANTHERS (42)
Tries: Izack Tago, Sunia Turuva, Brad Schneider, Luke Garner (2), Lindsay Smith, Taylan May
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Dylan Edwards (6/6), Brad Schneider (1/1)
Penalty Goals: