NRL 2024 round 6: Cronulla Sharks win 34-22 over South Sydney Rabbitohs

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou had just one player on his bench as injuries ravaged his struggling team that somehow still managed to send a scare through the Sharks.

Cody Walker cut a forlorn figure. Picture: NRL Photos

A slew of injuries could have ended any hope of Jason Demetriou hanging onto his job as Rabbitohs coach, but his injury-ravaged team put on a gutsy performance in a close loss against the Sharks that could buy him some time.

It was reported Demetriou had 80 minutes to keep his role, and the mentor was steadfast in how his team can turn things around as they head into a bye week.

“I won’t walk around with my head down, I have no reason to,” Demetriou said post-match.

“I’ve worked my backside off to get into this position as the head coach of one of the biggest rugby league clubs in the world. I’m really proud that I get to represent these boys … and I’m excited about turning it around. If that changes, time will tell.

“You don’t want to be going through this but the reality is it’s an elite sport and we’re a huge club. I’m disappointed to … hear things that just aren’t accurate but I can see why the noise is there.

Jye Gray made a strong debut for Souths at fullback. Picture: NRL Photos

“It’s results-driven and we’re not getting results. More importantly we lack times where we’re showing that fight, but I thought we showed that today. I’m walking here proud of my team, proud of the fight they put in.”

By halftime Demetriou already lost Tyrone Munro and Tevita Tatola for the game and Jacob Host, rookie fullback Jye Gray and Cameron Murray for periods due to HIAs. Murray was ruled out of the match completely in what was a huge blow.

The Rabbitohs were down 16-6 at the break and almost clawed back in the dying stages, eventually losing 34-22.

BAD LUCK BUNNIES

The Rabbitohs couldn’t have had it tougher on the field, with a HIA to Host in the 4th minute after a head clash with Jack Wighton the first injury domino to fall.

Host came back, but Tyrone Munro (shoulder) and Tevita Tatola (ankle) were both ruled out of the game midway through the first half.

Debutant fullback Jye Gray suffered whiplash in a tackle in the 28th minute and also had to go off for a HIA, though he was also able to return in the second 40.

With eight minutes to go in the first half, Tom Burgess was the only player left on the South Sydney bench, with Jack Wighton moving to fullback and second-rowers Michael Chee Kam and Cameron Murray covering in the centres.

Murray also went off for a HIA in the dying stages of the first half after a dubious tackle from Sione Katoa that went on report.

He cut a forlorn figure as he joined the rest of the injured players on the bench in the second half.

But the Rabbitohs showed signs of life and tries to Taane Milne in the 56th minute, another to veteran Tom Burgess in the 70th minute and one to Isaiah Tass in the 75th that rattled the Sharks.

MULITALO MOTORS ON

Ronaldo Mulitalo had another strong game. Picture: NRL Photos

Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo continued his fine vein of form with two tries, eight tackle-breaks and a line-break.

He’s scored 12 tries in 10 games and sits fifth on the list of Cronulla’s all-time tryscorers, as well as shooting up the NRL’s top tryscorers list so far this year.

He was also strong in defence, stopping a certain try in the first half and forcing a handover early in the second.

The only blip for the Cronulla side was an injury to Jack Williams that forced him off the field with 20 minutes left.