Rabbitohs 20 beat Tigers 6: One hand, two tries as wounded Walker stars

SOUTH Sydney centre Dylan Walker fractures his hand in the Rabbitohs’ 20-6 victory over the Wests Tigers but still finished with two tries.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 22: Dylan Walker of the Rabbitohs celebrates scoring a try during the round three NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on March 22, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

IT hasn’t happened in 56 years and only been achieved six times since 1908.

So dare we ask the question: Can South Sydney steamroll through the 2015 season unbeaten?

Who is going to stop them?

On Sunday, the TAB revealed already a market quoting the Rabbitohs at $34 to stay undefeated during the entire season.

TAB officials say each time they post such a market, a team falters within three to four weeks. But at the moment it will take one hell of a team to topple Souths.

They certainly weren’t at their best yesterday but Souths remained unbeaten this year with a 20-6 win over Wests Tigers before 23,211 fans at ANZ Stadium.

It wasn’t convincing but it was four-tries-to-one.

The last team to stay undefeated in a year was the great St George side of 1959. That achievement came in the middle of the Dragons’ 11 successive premierships.

Souths haven’t been beaten now in their past 14 games.

That’s three finals matches last year, three NRL rounds this year, all six matches at the Auckland Nines, the World Club Challenge against St Helens and a draw in the Charity Shield.

This is some football team.

Dylan Walker of the Rabbitohs looks down at his injured hand.

The only negative yesterday was a suspected broken hand to Souths centre Dylan Walker, who still managed to score two tries. Walker, who will have a scans today, also broke his hand last year. He could miss six weeks.

“It was sort of bent back and it’s a bit sore but we’ll find out (the extent today),’’ Walker said.

“I didn’t want to come off and let the team down - I tired to do my bit and do my best for the boys,” Walker said.

“I didn’t think about it too much. I just thought about what’s best for the team.”

Souths have Parramatta this Friday night at Pirtek Stadium before another huge test in round five against Canterbury at ANZ Stadium.

Greg Inglis of the Rabbitohs scores a try.

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said: “For us, it’s a new year and we have to make sure we do the things we are required to do each week.

“The one thing this team doesn’t do is take things for granted. We have learnt that we have to keep turning up each week. The players are doing that, it’s a sign of the player’s character. There were a lot of special efforts today.”

Wests Tigers deserve enormous credit for Sunday’s performance.

The young Tigers hung with Souths all game and refused to be intimidated.

Wonderful times lie ahead for this Wests Tigers side, who played with muscle when necessary and flare when allowed. They created plenty of chances.

At times the game was spiteful.

Wests Tigers forward Marty Taupua was never too far from a scuffle. The crowd loved it - despite the NRL wanting to rub all so much of rugby league’s passion.

Bryson Goodwin and Greg Inglis of the Rabbitohs congratulate Alex Johnston as he celebrates scoring a try.

“Effort good, execution poor. We can take a lot out of it - there was nothing out there we can’t fix,” said Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah.

“We went with them for a while but the good sides play for 80. It’s a learning curve. We want to get better each week.”

Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor added: “The fact we were still in the game with ten or so minutes to go was very encouraging.”

Tim Grant of the Rabbitohs and Keith Galloway of the Tigers face off.

The first half was tough, and scrappy, with both sides committing a combined 14 errors. Wests Tigers stayed with Souths for 35 minutes and led 6-0. Two Souths tries though in the final five minutes of the first half gave Souths a 10-6 lead at the break.

You take your eye off Souths for a split second and expect some punishment.

Souths all but sealed the game seven minutes into the second half when Souths champion Greg Inglis powered over the top of Tigers fullback James Tedesco to score.

Glenn Stewart and Bryson Goodwin of the Rabbitohs exchange words with Martin Taupau of the Tigers.

Wests Tigers winger Pat Richards was placed on report for a dangerous throw on Inglis. Inglis was tipped on his head in a tackle which see Richards face further consequences.

Souths forward Tim Grant was also on report for a lifting tackle.

SOUTH SYDNEY 20 (D Walker 2 G Inglis A Johnston tries A Reynolds 2 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 6 (R Farah try P Richards goal) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Alan Shortall, Ben Cummins. Crowd: 23,211.

Originally published as Rabbitohs 20 beat Tigers 6: One hand, two tries as wounded Walker stars