Why a ârechargeâ could unlock Cowboys; Rabbitohsâ resolve returns: Round 15 Talking Points
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RABBITOHSâ RESOLVE RETURNS
For most of the last 18 months, South Sydney have looked lost and a shell of the side everyone knows they can be.
In recent weeks, theyâve turned a corner, exemplied by their impressive 22-12 win over the Brisbane Broncos in Round 15.
By halftime, Ben Hornbyâs side were 18-0 and flying. Though thatâs not to suggest they had it easy in the first 40. Brisbane had 46% of possession and a handful of sets inside the Rabbitohs 20, while Richie Kennar was sin binned in the 30th minute.
Yet, there was a resilient edge to the South Sydney goal line defence, one which suggests the side now have as much pride in keeping sides scoreless as they do in scoring themselves.
Speaking on Fox Leagueâs coverage, former Bulldogs captained James Graham labelled the first half as âtheir best 40 minutes (this season).â
âWhat impressive me the most about South Sydney was the view that they looked united, they looked together for the very first time in a long time,â he said.
âThey looked like they cared about one another, they cared about the result.
âThe amount of opportunities the Broncos created where they just got through the line but South Sydney players were there to shut them down.â
For 66 minutes, the Rabbitohs held a Brisbane side thatâs scoring four tries per game this season scoreless.
Granted, this is a Broncos outfit without Reece Walsh and Adam Reynolds, but there was still enough firepower, and opportunity, to breach South Sydneyâs defence.
Former Broncos lock Corey Parker believes South Sydneyâs Round 15 performance is night and day to some of the outings they had earlier in the season.
âFrom what it was to where they are right now, they are a completely different footy side,â Parker said.
âThe intent and desperation we saw from their defensive line, we havenât seen for a long period of time and it is starting to come back.
âThat was their best performance in a long, long time.â
South Sydney have now won their last three matches and sit two wins outside the top eight. Their new-found defensive resolve and ever-present attacking potency mean they can beat anyone on their day.
Could this mean the Rabbitohs are back?
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12 months yes but not the last 18 months.