NRL 2021: South Sydney Rabbitohs win 34-20 over Canberra Raiders | Match Report

The Raiders might have taken the points in a pre-game Twitter exchange, but when halfback George Williams went down in the warm-up and Benji Marshall cut loose, life was always going to be difficult.

Benji Marshall continued his fine form against the Raiders. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Ricky Stuart says he will speak to the NRL about a number of crucial calls after the Raiders were denied two late tries that could have taken their game with South Sydney to golden point.

Canberra slumped to its fourth loss on the trot, but Stuart is fuming at two obstruction penalties in the final six minutes that cost Jack Wighton what he felt were legitimate tries.

“There was no way in the world they were going to tackle either of those players. Anybody with a bit of common sense in regards to rugby league knows that they were two tries,” he said.

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“While that type of interpretation is in the game, that’s going to be a blight on the game. We’ve been talking about it for years. You can’t run forward and tackle somebody in front of you and not try to tackle the person with the football.”

He was left just as frustrated by the inconsistencies on the field, with Canberra earning seven set restarts to nil, while South Sydney won the penalty count 8-1.

“This has been happening a lot to us,” he said.

“I’ll look like a whinger, which I don’t really give a shit about. When you get a game out there where it’s 8-1 in penalties, it needs a discussion. The ruck was so slow tonight. I can’t believe it was only seven (restarts).”

ANTI-SOCIAL

The Raiders won the pre-game Twitter battle but South Sydney got them where it hurts to heap more misery on Stuart’s side whose season now hangs in the balance.

Canberra’s social media department delivered a scorching burn when they mocked the Rabbitohs for losing three-straight preliminary finals, but perhaps they should worry about their own backyard, with a finals berth no certainty after another second-half capitulation.

They’ve conceded at least 26 points in five of their past six matches and have lost their past three games at home as they struggle to find their identity in 2021.

Benji Marshall turned on the magic in the second half to put the contest beyond reach. Picture: Getty Images

LEFT SIDE STORY

The Raiders thought they were onto something when Bailey Simonsson jammed in twice to shut down Cody Walker, but it takes a lot more than that to keep a good side down.

From the next attacking raid, Benji Marshall used his years of experience to draw the Canberra winger in before he fired a double cutout pass to send Alex Johnston in for a try.

Their weapons continued to fire in the second half, allowing Johnston to dive over for South Sydney’s 23nd try down the left edge.

It may have looked good, but Bennett wasn’t overly thrilled with Marshall’s performance a week after his masterclass against the Titans.

It was another tough night for Raiders coach Ricky Stuart as his team registered its third consecutive loss at home. Picture: Getty Images

“I think he was reading about himself all week,” he said. “I thought at 36 you didn’t do that anymore.”

They’ve now won seven matches in a row and have scored more points through eight rounds than any Rabbitohs side before them, but their coach isn’t impressed.

“It’s only flowing for 20-25 minutes. That’s all we played for tonight,” Wayne Bennett said.

“Mentally we’re not strong enough with our attitude. We were good for a month but we’ve gone back into the old habits.”

Elliot Whitehead by pulled up by the Rabbitohs defence. Picture: Getty Images

CANBERRA FADERS

They roared out of the blocks with three of the first four tries of the match, but it was the same old story for the Raiders who faded badly after halftime to continue their disastrous run of outs.

The Green Machine had jumped out to a 16-8 lead and headed into the sheds with a two-point cushion, only for the visitors to pile on the pain after the break.

Third year in a row for this joke. Just like your Prelim record

— Canberra Raiders (@RaidersCanberra) April 29, 2021

It continues a worrying trend for Ricky’s Raiders given they a blew a 25-6 halftime lead against the Warriors, they were blown away 23-0 by the Eels in the second half, while the Cowboys came back from 24-12 down at the break to finish all over Canberra last week.

At least they were able to score a second-half try on Thursday, but their chances of a comeback were cruelled as Jack Wighton had two tries disallowed in the final few minutes for obstruction.

Marshall had the Raiders in all sorts in the second half.

Patrick Mago is tackled as the Raiders work hard.

DOUBLE BLOW

Canberra’s injury crisis has deepened, with George Williams the latest casualty after he injured his hamstring in the warm-up.

The halfback joins the likes of Josh Hodgson, Jarrod Croker and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad on the sideline, while Josh Papalii was also missing after he was controversially rested from the must-win clash.

It forced a major reshuffle and also meant Jordan Rapana had to kick goals for the first time since his days in the National Youth Competition.

The news isn’t much better for South Sydney, with lock Cameron Murray set for scans on an ankle injury that forced him off in the first half.