COWBOYS RABBITOHS
SOUTH SYDNEY have surrendered the premiership lead and will most likely be without their star standoff, John Sutton, until the finals.
There is a lot less inevitability about the Rabbitohs’ first premiership in more than four decades after a shock heavy loss to the Cowboys last night and an ankle injury suffered by Sutton early in the second half at Townsville’s 1300smiles Stadium.
The defeat means the Bunnies’ bitter rivals the Roosters have edged in front of the league on points difference. But the injury to Sutton is probably even worse news for coach Michael Maguire and the club’s army of supporters.
‘‘ It’s a sprained ankle,’’ team doctor Andrew McDonald told Fairfax Media. Asked how long the City Origin pivot would be out, McDonald answered it was ‘‘too early to tell’’.
Maguire has been grooming youngster Luke Keary for a spot alongside Adam Reynolds in the starting halves but his ascension will now have to be fast-tracked in the month-long run to the playoffs, which culminates in a round 26 showdown with the Roosters.
Making matters worse, Reynolds hyper-extended his left knee in the second half and although he played on, will need scans today.
Having spent much of the season looking destined for drought-breaking glory, the Rabbitohs are looking more than a little shaky after two defeats from three matches.
It was a stirring performance from the Cowboys at the end of a week which started with their coach Neil Henry, getting the sack. Debutant winger Kyle Feldt was a revelation in attack and defence while prop Matt Scott was unstoppable with well over 200 metres.
The Cowboys held a surprise 12-0 lead at the end of a first half which saw them defend stoutly as Souths hammered their line.
tries; J win, G
Meanwhile, in the earlier NRL game at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney, the Sea Eagles consolidated their spot in the top four with a 40-6 win over the hapless Eels. The win was the Sea Eagles’ fifth in a row.
(K Linnett 2, B Thurston 5 gls) Burgess tries; A Tate, T Sims, R Lui
(B GoodReynolds 2 gls)