Brave Bunnies outlast Roosters despite finishing with 12 men

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have flexed their premiership muscles one week before the finals with a 16-10 comeback win over the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night.

It is the second time that the Rabbitohs toppled their fierce rivals having won 26-16 in their Round 1 meeting at the SCG.

The victory sees Wayne Bennett's men secure a spot in the top four and was made even more impressive by the fact that they finished the game with just 12 men.

Dane Gagai failed to finish most of the match after succumbing to a hamstring injury while Tevita Tatola, Liam Knight John Sutton and Adam Reynolds were all forced off for a concussion tests throughout the game.

Cameron Murray starred for the Rabbitohs after moving to the centres, coming up with a number of inspiring hits in defence to help his side to victory.

He wasn't the only one though as Souths defended their line bravely late in the second half to prove their premiership credentials.

The Roosters were admittedly without Luke Keary, Brett Morris and Mitchell Aubusson and their attack was quite clunky at times.

It was South Sydney's scrambling defence, however, that forced the Tricolours into 13 uncharacteristic errors as they fought their way back from a 10-2 defecit at the break.

Trent Robinson's men will rue key missed opportunities in the first half with Cooper Cronk and Billy Smith scoring their only tries.

Joseph Manu caused havoc on the right edge in the opening forty but was well-covered by Murray in the second as the Rabbitohs ran in two quick tries to Campbell Graham and Cody Walker to hit the front.

A couple of Reynolds penalty goals proved the difference.  

The Rabbitohs win means that they temporarily move into third position and could play the Roosters next week if Canberra lose to the Warriors.

A Raiders victory would see Souths travel to Melbourne once more after going down 29-28 in the same Qualifying Final last year.