Brilliant Bunnies belittle the Eels
Souths 31 - Eels 6
In more good news for long suffering Souths fans, it seems the red and green revival is in full swing - with the Bunnies making Parramatta look like a reserve grade side today at Aussie Stadium.
In a sluggish start for both teams, Souths went into half time ahead 10-6 after a busy first half. In what was mostly an arm wrestle, things got interesting after Daniel Irvine tackled PJ Marsh without the ball costing the Eels a certain try and resulting in a sin binning for the South Sydney hooker.
The Eels looked rudderless for most the of the match and only touched down in an impressive effort by rookie Filiti Mateo who popped a short ball to Tahu millimetres from the line setting Tahu up for a gift 4 pointer.
Souths defence was always as one, and this continually frustrated the already un-organised Eels. The problems for the Eels lie in limited punch and platform from the Forwards and a poorly organised scrumbase combination of Smith and Finch.
While Cayless did well for the Eels, always looking dangerous and error free the same couldn't be said of his team mates. At times the forwards simply looked disinterested and without any drive. Compounding this was the debacle that was at the Eels scrumbase. Smith and Finch simply did not communicate with each other and threw forward and hospital passes at will.
Hagan will have a tough week ahead, the only positive being the Eels face the equally average Tigers at the first Parra Stadium game for 2007. (NRLnews will be reporting live from the ground) On to Souths.
The Bunnies are reaping the rewards of their newly built side with bonding and combinations really coming together. The forward pack set the scene for the slick backs to play some ball. Kidwell displayed his usual passion, and was punishing up front and he was backed up by an extremely physical Peter Cusack. Cusack has always been a talented bookend, but now surrounded by class players - it shows him in an even better light. He was damaging with and without the ball.
As the South Sydney engine room rolled forward, the class was oozing from halves Williams and Jeremey Smith. An early 40/20 from Williams was an indication of the planning and decision making that this NRL team now posseses. Williams made correct decisions at every turn, running and distributing superbly. Jeremey Smith was fired up to punish his old club and he talked it up constantly encouraging team mates and keeping the passion flowing.
Merritt put in a sensational performance, with the highlight being the chip and chase 2 minutes from half time. His chip and regather to score, made Reddy and Burt look like school boys as he flew in to score in the corner.
Sutton was probably the only Bunny to be kept quiet, but not many of his team mates were. Mellor the old hand was causing headaches for Hayne out wide and made sure Tahu was never allowed room to move in offence. While the Eels were extremely poor, full credit to Souths for further frustrating the men from the Golden West - and Souths will continue to reap the reward from every confidence boosting win.
Interesting to see the week ahead and how the Eels camp react to the punishment dished out today. Surely Hagan will be tempted to make changes, and he has some impressive depth with the Eels reserve grade team itching at the chance to make the step up. The 2 time premiers in the last 2 years, the Eels reserve grade team must be banging on the door now, as todays performance by the top squad looked anything like the top tier of talent. The only exception being Mateo.
The only person besides the Bunnies to be laughing, would be ex-Parra coach Brian Smith. Smith being sacked by Dennis Fitzgerald, now sits at the helm of the 2007 ladder leading Newcastle Knights.
