Walker stars early as Rabbitohs run riot against Brisbane

Embed from Getty Images

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos

Cody Walker has sent an emphatic statement to NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler with two tries and one try-assists in South Sydney's 38-6 win over Brisbane on Thursday night. 

As the South Sydney faithful honoured recently retired Greg Inglis, the Rabbitohs marched on to claim their fourth-straight win. 

It was a dominant victory for Wayne Bennett's men, quelling any lingering doubts over their premiership credentials after a string of unconvincing performances. 

Walker was simply sensational in the opening half, scoring the first try of the night when he followed up a late kick from Alex Johnston. 

The 29-year old was at it again moments later, nabbing his second in just four minutes after toeing the ball ahead for himself, the bounce of the ball again favouring the South Sydney five-eighth. 

Halves partner Adam Reynolds was next to strike, pouncing onto an Anthony Milford pass before racing away to score. 

Walker then held the ball up before sending Kyle Turner crashing over in the dying moments of the first forty, pushing the score line out to 24-0 at the break. 

Having scored 11 tries from just seven games since 2015 against South Sydney, it was only a matter of time before Corey Oates crossed over. 

And the Rabbitohs were made to pay for a sloppy start to the second half, the winger surging over off a Milford short ball to reduce the deficit to 18.

The Broncos had plenty of chances to stage a late comeback but were unable to capitalise, their biggest missed opportunity coming in the 64th minute. 

A lovely pass from Matt Lodge created space out wide and Jack Bird offloaded late to put Oates over, only for the winger to drop the ball over the line. 

It proved a costly error, Sam Burgess crashing through off the following set to put the result beyond doubt.

Damien Cook laid on that try for Burgess and was scheming out of dummy-half again as John Sutton reached out to score in the 77th minute. 

A Reynolds penalty goal before that try meant that the scoreboard sat at 38-6 come the end of 80 minutes.

Sadly it doesn't set up Magic Round Brisbane well for the team from the host city, with the Broncos nervously looking ahead to next Friday's clash with Manly at Suncorp.

On the Sunday, the Rabbitohs face the Cowboys where they'll aim to continue their fantastic early season form.