The South Sydney Rabbitohs have started their 2026 NRL campaign on the perfect note with an impressive 40-30 victory against the Dolphins at a wet Suncorp Stadium.
Things started fast for Souths when they scored after just five minutes, with Campbell Graham having space in the corner and, despite the efforts of the Dolphins defence, Graham got the ball down.
The ball and territory were all with Souths before they saw it go the other way in an instance when Cody Walker threw an intercept straight to the chest of Jake Averillo, who raced downfield to score for the Phins. Just like Latrell Mitchell before him, Jamayne Isaako could only hit the uprights.
Everything was going South's way, and errors put the Dolphins under pressure, and it might've taken longer than the Bunnies thought it would, but they got over the line with Latrell Mitchell scoring after a break from Jye Grey.
Two more try efforts for the Rabbitohs were rejected by the bunker with Cody Walker's solo effort denied after his boot hit the sideline and Latrell Mitchell having an effort even he said shouldn't have been given was initially awarded by Peter Gough only for it to be rejected.
Souths added a penalty goal in the 23rd minute before the Dolphins hit back just three minutes later. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki ran onto the ball and was no match for Jye Grey, and the Dolphins had closed the gap to 2 points.
The Rabbitohs then went on a scoring spree in the last eight minutes of the half, with Campbell Graham, Jye Grey and Alex Johnston all scoring, and Latrell Mitchell converting two of the three tries to give Souths a 28-10 lead at the break.
A quick start was needed for the Dolphins, and they got it just ten minutes into the second half when Herbie Farnworth got a tick of approval after initially being ruled no try by Peter Gough on-field. The try gave the hosts a much-needed spark as the Hammer went solo to score just five minutes later, and after the conversion, it was a six-point ball game.
Cody Walker nailed his first-ever NRL 40/20 to switch the momentum, and then after 5 sets in a row, the Rabbitohs took advantage when Lachie Hubner slipped underneath two tackles and then looked surprised as he was able to score one of the easiest tries he would ever score. Latrell Mitchell added a second after the Dolphins spilled the ball on their own 10 and Souths took advantage.
Just after the 70-minute mark, Tom Gilbert and David Fifita were both given an early shower by referee Gough for two major flare-ups in a matter of seconds.
The Dolphins finished the game with Jamayne Isaako scoring to tighten the scores, before a string of penalties saw the Dolphins put a penalty goal over after the full-time siren for a 40-30 defeat.
Next week, the Dolphins are at home yet again against the Titans at Suncorp Stadium whilst the Rabbitohs take on the Roosters in a local Derby at Allianz Stadium.