NRL 2023: South Sydney Rabbitohs win 27-18 over Cronulla Sharks
Adding more pain to their Round 1 defeat, Cronulla could lose captain Wade Graham to a lengthy ban - and he’s not the only NRL star facing a stint on the sidelines after judiciary charges.
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Cronulla back-rower Wade Graham and Canberra winger Jordan Rapana are both facing lengthy bans after copping charges for high shots on Saturday night.
Rapana is facing at least three weeks on the sidelines after another brain explosion, this time a shoulder charge against the Cowboys.
The match review committee has whacked Rapana with a grade one shoulder charge on Scott Drinkwater from Canberra’s 19-18 loss to North Queensland. It was Rapana’s third offence. If he opts to challenge the charge but is unsuccessful at the judiciary panel, he will cop a four-match ban over the incident.
Cronulla Graham is also facing three matches on the sidelines for a reckless tackle on South Sydney’s Davvy Moale.
Graham was sinbinned for the shot in the 65th minute of Cronulla’s loss to the Rabbitohs. Like Rapana, Graham must challenge the charge at the judiciary to have the offence either downgraded or wiped. If found guilty at the panel, Graham will be suspended for four matches.
Sharks teammate Briton Nikora will escape punishment for a grade one shoulder charge on Cameron Murray with an early plea, that carries a $3000 fine.
Braden Hamlin-Uele was also cited for a shot on Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker but the grade one careless high tackle charge only carries a $1000 fine with an early plea.
While North Queensland winger Kyle Felt is facing a $3000 fine got a careless high tackle on Canberra’s Corey Harawira-Naera.
SOUTHS SWEAT ON LATRELL INJURY AS BRUTAL TOLL SOURS WIN
By Martin Gabor
South Sydney produced the bravest performance of the weekend to open their season with a 27-18 win in the Shire, but all eyes will be on Latrell Mitchell after the Rabbitohs superstar battled through a PCL injury that will require scans.
Mitchell needed assistance from the trainer for the final two minutes of the first half and then had his left knee heavily strapped at the break, with fears that he’d done serious damage.
Those fears were allayed 10 minutes into the second half when he charged back from a kick return and skittled several Sharks with a trademark carry, but there are no guarantees the World Cup winner will be right for next week’s epic showdown with the Panthers.
“He’s got a bit of an issue with his PCL, but we’ll get it checked,” Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou said.
“I thought he played outstanding in the second half.”
He wasn’t as dominant as he can be, but Mitchell did kick a crucial penalty goal to make it 20-12, then threw the final pass to set up Campbell Graham for the sealer and then kicked a field goal as the siren sounded.
Mitchell’s fitness will determine how far the Rabbitohs go in 2023, and a five-day turnaround isn’t ideal for a man who has dealt with several hamstring injuries throughout his career, often coming at the worst possible time.
The Rabbitohs have other concerns with Jai Arrow forced off with a hamstring strain while Tevita Tatola lasted just one tackle before he was knocked out of the contest following a head clash with Dale Finucane.
SEVENTH HEAVEN
There were times last year when it looked like the decision to release Adam Reynolds was one of the worst calls ever, but South Sydney officials look like genii after Lachlan Ilias produced the best 80 minutes of his career.
It looked like the footy gods had concocted a Greek tragedy when Ilias was hooked in the first half of a game last year against the Dragons, but he was herculean on Saturday in a Rabbitohs side that lost two players in the opening half hour.
The young half spoke in the off-season about playing with more confidence, and he lived up to that promise with a lot more touches in dangerous areas as South Sydney’s right edge outplayed its usually dominant left.
It was fitting that Ilias opened the scoring with a solo effort close to the line, but only after he produced the try-saver of the season to deny Ronaldo Mulitalo in the corner – although the Sharks winger did something special in defence minutes later.
Ilias then put it on a plate for Keaon Koloamatangi who dropped it cold over the line, but the back-rower made amends before halftime after receiving a nice pass from his halfback who was also superb in defence.
“I don’t know (if it was his best performance) but it’s up there,” Demetriou said.
“He’s an established first-grader and he knows how to play footy.
“That effort (on Mulitalo) was a big play. I’ve seen him do that all pre-season.”
SHARKEROOS
It’s a pity we’ve got to wait another three years for the next men’s FIFA World Cup because there are a couple of Sharks who could be in line for a Socceroos call-up after they showed off their soccer skills on Saturday night.
Ronaldo Mulitalo wasn’t even involved as Will Kennedy put in two kicks before Braydon Trindall grubbered three times and then pounced on the loose ball to open Cronulla’s account for 2023.
Trindall was filling in for the injured Nicho Hynes who may is no certainty to return next week from a calf injury.
He’s no stranger to the NRL and steered the ship in style with a 40/20 in the first half which almost led to a Sione Katoa try, only for Trindall’s final pass to be called forward.
“He’s done that before for us, and I’m pleased he took the opportunity,” said Fitzgibbon, unsure whether Hynes will return next week.
ORIGINAL SIN
Wade Graham faces a nervous wait for the charge sheet to come out after the former skipper was sent to the sin bin for a spectacular shot on Davvy Moale.
It initially looked like Graham had pulled off the hit of the year when he rushed out of the line to belt the young forward, but referee Todd Smith marched him for 10 minutes after replays showed the tackle was high.
“You’ve left the ground to make contact with the head,” Smith said as he sent Graham to the sin bin.
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