Wayne Bennett’s South Sydney Rabbitohs notch third win on trot - but at a price

South Sydney may have won three matches in a row, but coach Wayne Bennett was hardly full of joy after the match against the Titans - no surprise really as the win came at a heavy cost.

Young South Sydney Rabbitoh Braidon Burns stole the hearts of all footy fans last week with his amazing against the odds life story.

But it appears the inspirational youngster has now had yet another hurdle thrown in his path, with fears the 22-year-old suffered a suspected fracture in his ankle as well as a hamstring injury in Sunday night’s 28-20 victory over Gold Coast.

Burns’ injuries overshadowed the Rabbitohs making it three straight wins under new coach Wayne Bennett to remain one of only two unbeaten teams after three rounds along with Melbourne.

Braidon Burns of the Rabbitohs is taken from the field after injuring his leg. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding

BURNS FEARS NOT GOOD

It was midway through the first half when Burns fell awkwardly in a tackle by Brian Kelly. The instant he hit the ANZ Stadium turf, the pain on his face suggested this was not good.

Burns hobbled to the sideline and at first tried to walk back to the sheds before he was picked up by a medi-cab.

South Sydney officials said last night the extent of Burns’ injuries would not be known until after he had scans today.

But the talk in the dressing sheds was that they were not expecting it to be great news.

Burns was wearing a moon boot and with a bandage around his hamstring.

If Burns is ruled out for an extended period, it could leave Bennett in a spot of bother given skipper Greg Inglis is also well underdone fitness-wise and currently sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Adam Doueihi (knee) is also not due back until round five while Jacob Gagan and Cory Denniss are the Canterbury Cup centres who could come into consideration for this Saturday’s clash against Manly.

BENNETT PLAYS DOWN WIN

No one was really expecting Bennett to arrive at Sunday night’s media conference doing cartwheels.

But even by Bennett’s standards, his prickly mood was probably a little surprising given the Rabbitohs position on the table.

When Bennett arrived to take over from Anthony Seibold he would have been hoping to start the season well.

Now he goes into round four on top and with an easier draw in the next few weeks including Sea Eagles, Warriors and Bulldogs.

But as Bennett said: “I am not trying to put a dampener on it, I am trying to be honest.

“If you start living off what you have already done it won’t be long before you are out of a job.

“It is past us now. We have done three (wins). We have another tough game coming up next weekend.

“We have to get ourselves ready for that.

“It was a bit of a mixed day for us today so to say I would be happy about something, that would be an overstatement.”

Sam Burgess and Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs celebrate after Campbell Graham of the Rabbitohs crossed to score a try. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

REYNOLDS AND WALKER SHINE

If Brad Fittler was picking his NSW team tomorrow Luke Keary would have to be the favourite to grab one of the halves spots.

But who should be joining him?

On form right now you’d have to say that Blues’ incumbents Nathan Cleary and James Maloney are hardly setting the world on fire.

But the Souths halves Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker are making a fair dinkum case that they should be in the debate.

Bennett rates Walker as naturally gifted as any footballer he has ever coached and his skills were on show last night with Walker playing a hand in three tries.

Reynolds also set up another that handed rookie Corey Allen his first NRL try, and Reynolds’ general kicking and goal kicking only adds to his credentials.

Anthony Don of the Titans soars high to take a bomb during the Round 3 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Gold Coast Titans. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding

NOT TITANIC TROUBLES YET

Plenty of good judges thought Gold Coast had a squad capable of challenging for a finals spot this year.

And after watching the way they went toe-to-toe with the Rabbitohs last night despite ending on the wrong side of a 9-1 penalty count, it is still not beyond them.

You also have to remember that they are playing without starting halves Ash Taylor and Tyrone Roberts, along with hooker Nathan Peats.

Coach Garth Brennan said last night both Taylor and Roberts would be on the plane with the squad today for the trip to New Zealand and could return against the Warriors on Friday night.

DON IS GOOD

Anthony Don created club history last night, overtaking David Mead as the Titans’ greatest tryscorer after touching down for his 68th try in seven seasons.

It’s a remarkable effort given Donn didn’t make his NRL debut until the age of 25.

“Everyone loves the Don,” Brennan said.

SCOREBOARD

SOUTH SYDNEY 28 (C Graham 2 C Allan E Lowe tries A Reynolds 6 goals) bt GOLD COAST 20 (B Kelly2 D Copley A Don tries M Gordon 2 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Chris Butler, Matt Noyen. Crowd: 10,128.