Reynolds’ dramatic field goal heroics put Rabbitohs into first preliminary final
SYDNEY: South Sydney star Adam Reynolds nailed three field goals, including one inside the final 60 seconds, to send the Rabbitohs to within 80 minutes of the NRL grand final.
With St George Illawarra leading by one with two minutes to go on Saturday night, the semifinal seemed destined for golden point when Reynolds kicked his second field goal.
However, the Dragons inexplicably failed to get to a kick on their last play, offering Reynold’s opportunity to land the decisive blow in a dramatic 1312 victory.
The Rabbitohs face the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium next Saturday for a spot in the decider, with the winner to face either Melbourne or Cronulla.
The Dragons appeared on track for a stunning upset when they willed themselves to an eightpoint lead in front of a crowd of 48,188 at ANZ Stadium.
But Reynolds emerged as the hero, scoring all 13 points to steer his team to victory.
‘‘He was on tonight,’’ Rab bitohs coach Anthony Seibold said following the game.
‘‘Reyno works really hard on his craft . . . I felt great for Reyno. You get what you deserve and he deserved that tonight.’’
Cronulla is bracing for the prospect of being without inspirational captain Paul Gallen for Friday night’s block buster NRL preliminary final showdown with the Melbourne Storm.
Gallen suffered a shoulder injury in the second half of the Sharks’ heartstopping 21-20 semifinal win over Penrith and is racing the clock to be the grudge match with their 2016 grand final rivals at AAMI Park.
‘‘Gal is just a wait and see. We will get a scan. Touch wood that he is OK but it is a bit unknown,’’ Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said.
‘‘When Gal doesn’t come back on, I am real concerned. He usually can just go in and get it strapped up and battle on. For him not to come back in a big semifinal is a bit concerning.’’
At 37, Gallen delivered one of his best performances of the season before the Sharks needed a Chad Townsend field goal five minutes from fulltime to avoid a shattering loss after having led the Panthers 180 at Allianz Stadium.
The Sharks are also sweating on fellow forward enforcer Luke Lewis to recover from a calf injury, but the veteran insists he will be ‘‘sweet.’’
‘‘I’ll be fine mate, to be honest with you,’’ Lewis told AAP.
The Warriors have lost their second NRLW match, undone by a Kiwi Ferns great.
Honey Hireme was brilliant at the back for the Dragons, running for 178 metres, making five tackle busts and scoring an outstanding firsthalf try.
The Sydney team triumphed 2210, in a remarkable turnaround after being smashed by the Broncos the week before. A win for the Auckland club could have booked them a grand final appearance. Their hopes now rest on a positive result against the unbeaten Broncos next week. — AAP/NZME