Keaon makes his Origin claim known as Souths find a way to win

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Wests Tigers v South Sydney Rabbitohs

A monster performance from NSW Origin hopeful Keaon Koloamatangi has lifted South Sydney into the top eight, downing a tenacious Tigers side by 10 points at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

In a match that featured several Origin prospects, both sides were trying to prove a point about where they were at in season 2025.

South Sydney forced several sets of pressure on the Tigers line and ultimately the home side had to crack. Siliva Havilii eventually crashed over from dummy half in the ninth minute. Tigers fans and players weren't convinced but replays couldn't overturn the referee's live decision.

The game took a shift after 18 minutes when Isaiah Tass went for a dummy half run. He claimed a try which was denied by the referee and Bunker, but the on-field call of Lachie Galvin being offside was supported, so the departing Tigers pivot was dispatched to the sin-bin.

In the sin-bin period, Jayden Sullivan split the defence too easily, finding Euan Aitken in support to make it a 12-0 advantage. Right on half-time, Apisai Koroisau busted the Rabbitohs defence open, he did a filthy step on Latrell Mitchell, leaving him in his wake and giving the Tigers some hope before the break.

It was a tense final twenty minutes and as the Tigers blew several scoring chances, Souths grew in confidence. A big charge for Keaon Koloamatangi gave Souths all momentum as Humphries drew in the defence, finding Tallis Duncan who put Isaiah Tass into space. He found Alex Johnston for try 197 in his NRL career.

Terrell May busted through to find Koroisau who broke away. After a clear professional foul by Tallis Duncan, the Tigers had to score in the next few sets if they were a chance to come back. The former NSW hooker threw a massive dummy, fooled the defence to go over and score.

In the dying moments, South Sydney were struggling to match it with the Tigers in the clutch. Lachlan Galvin thought he was the hero for the Tigers when he dummied and went. After initially awarded on-field, the Bunker denied the pivot. Souths mustered the energy to punish the Tigers as Jai Arrow charged across to score for the Rabbitohs to seal the game.