SG Ball: Rabbitohs centres Faresa Palu and Josiah Karapani shine on big stage

South Sydney’s centres were lethal in attack as the Rabbitohs made the Bulldogs pay for a slow start to enhance their SG Ball title credentials.

Rabbitohs players celebrate after a try against Canterbury. Picture: Damian Shaw

They are both 2021 SG Ball Cup title contenders but it was South Sydney which came out the winner against Canterbury on Saturday.

Rabbitohs centres Josiah Karapani and Faresa Palu were lethal in the tough NRL curtain-raiser at Stadium Australia — Palu bagged a hat-trick and Karapani starred in attack in the 28-18 win.

The Bulldogs showed plenty of spark throughout the contest — Khaled Rajab, Danny Ghantous and JosephO’Neill constantly asking questions — but in the end, they were made to pay for their slow start.

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“It’s the type of game you want to be playing going into finals, it was a good tough game of footy, gets you prepared for (finals) next week which is great,” Rabbitohs’ Head of Pathways Joe O’Callaghan said. “Considering (Souths) leaked 36 points last week against Balmain, which was a reality check for them, they’ve bounced back well with a good win today.”

The Rabbitohs scored an impressive win against the Bulldogs. Picture: Damian Shaw

O’Callaghan praised Karapani and big man Isaiah Vailalo for stepping up on the big stage.

“Josiah Karapani really stood up today with a lot of strong carries to get the boys out of trouble,” O’Callaghan said.

“We always give wraps to Davvy Moale, he’s a dominant front rower in this comp, we know what he can do, but his other front row partner today Isaiah Vailalo had a really big game.”

Souths scored two quick tries in the opening five minutes via Louis Grossemy and Harley Lester. Palu followed suit and the Bunnies led 16-0.

Canterbury struggled with errors and momentum, until five-eighth Rajab made a break in the 27th minute. The big play ultimately resulted in halfback O’Neill scoring to close the Dogs’ deficit to 16-6 at halftime.

Rajab struck again, putting fullback Cameron Lawrence over in the second half and suddenly Canterbury trailed by just four points.

But the Rabbitohs responded with two quick tries by Palu and they pushed ahead to 28-12.

Bulldogs winger BrendonTapuai flew over in the closing minutes but the damage was done and Souths finished on top.

Around the grounds, the Illawarra Steelers piled a whopping 14 tries on the North Sydney Bears to win 80-10. Jackson Shereb, Benjamin Lavender, Tyrone Roberts and Trey Barlow bagged doubles in the demolition.

The Sea Eagles, Raiders, Eels and Sydney Roosters also secured Round 7 wins.

Souths proved their SG Ball title credentials with their win over Canterbury. Picture: Damian Shaw

HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP

The Central Coast Roosters ambushed Penrith to secure a spot in the finals. Roosters winger JordanTut-Chapman bagged a double and big men Kye Durie and Bryce Davis led from the front.

“It’s massive for them ... to make the semis and beat a side like Penrith, who were sitting in third,” Roosters Development Manager John Strange said. “They’re playing with a lot of confidence. They’re small but they’re a very skilful and tough side.

“We also brought up a couple of boys from our Andrew Johns Cup team who recently won that ... James Miller came off the bench at lock and Jake Elliott went into the centres, they were great.”

The under-17s Magpies, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Steelers, Dragons and Eels also recorded wins.

TARSHA GALE CUP

Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy winger Charlize Lloyd-Phillips scored a hat-trick in her side’s 30-10 win over Wests Tigers. The Roosters have been boosted by the return of prop Keilee Joseph and have emerged as a real threat over the past few weeks.

At Mascot Oval, A last-minute four-pointer to Raiders centre Makayla Morris saw Canberra and St George finish locked up at 26-26. Parramatta overcame Cronulla 30-12 and the Steelers bumped the Dogs 30-10.