ISSAC LUKE ON REPORT AS SOUTHS MAKE NRL DECIDER Rabbitohs Roosters SOUTH Sydney will be sweating on the availability of Issac Luke next week after the star hooker was placed on report for a lifting tackle in Friday night’s 32-22 grand final qualifier win over the Roosters. The Rabbitohs have the opportunity to end over four decades of torment next Sunday, qualifying for their first grand final since 1971. However, it isn’t all rosy for the foundation club with Luke a real possibility to miss the big game after being placed on report for a dangerous throw on Sonny Bill Williams. It was the only dampener on a historic night for Red-and-Greens, who overcame an early 12-0 deficit to completely overrun their traditional rivals. The Roosters now bid farewell to departing stars Anthony Minichiello (retirement) and Sonny Bill Williams (rugby). Souths were well served by key forwards Sam and George Burgess, whose power play upfront allowed the likes of Adam Reynolds, Dylan Walker and Greg Inglis to run riot. As good as Souths were, they were helped by a sub-par effort from Easts who seemed flat after their epic counter against North Queensland last week, conceding 32 unanswered points before grabbing two tries in the last two minutes. Mitchell Pearce gave the Roosters the early ascendancy, scoring the opener with a fine 30-metre effort after five minutes. The score was doubled two minutes later when Minichiello out-jumped Inglis to ground a James Maloney bomb. Souths struck back midway in the first half when Reynolds and Walker combined to put Lote Tuqiri away in the corner. They were soon level when a decision to run the ball on the fifth yielded Alex Johnston’s 20th try of the season. The Chooks looked to have regained the lead a minute out from half-time when Pearce created some space for Daniel Tupou to touch down. However, this was correctly denied by the video referee who found a knock-on from Maloney in the lead-up. Instead it was Souths who took the initiative, Ben Te’o charging over for a try five minutes into the second half. This lead was soon extended when a controversial knock-on call against Minichiello eventually yielded a try to Inglis. Reynolds’ perfect record with the boot saw Souths hold a 24-12 lead with 28 minutes remaining. Inglis wrapped the game up 15 minutes from time when he marked a pinpoint bomb from Reynolds to score. Reynolds further clinched the finals berth with a penalty goal. Queensland back-rower Aidan Guerra scored a consolation try for the Tricolours in the last two minutes of play, before Minichiello ended his stellar career with a try with his last touch of the ball. South Sydney will face the winner of Saturday night’s clash between Canterbury and Penrith. RABBITOHS 32 (Inglis 2, Tuqiri, Johnston, Te’o tries; Reynolds 6 goal) beat ROOSTERS 22 (Minichiello 2, Pearce, Guerra tries; Maloney 3 goals). Crowd: 52,592 - STEVEN RUSSO
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 17:50:55 +0000
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