South Sydney edge Brisbane 22-20 as Wayne Bennett wins bragging rights

South Sydney and Brisbane promised to be a belter following a fiery week leading into the clash, and the match delivered with the Rabbitohs getting home in a 22-20 thriller at Suncorp Stadium.

South Sydney scored a vital win over Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled

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South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has retained bragging rights.

And Bunnies No.9 Damien Cook, he wins that oversized, novelty Man of the Match cheque.

While as for the Rabbitohs generally ... well, they’re once again into the NRL top four after overcoming Brisbane in what will be remembered as one of the greatest performances anywhere in 2019.

But as for Pride of the League?

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South Sydney scored a vital win over Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled

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Um, not exactly.

For only a week after Souths GM Shane Richardson accused Melbourne of deliberating injuring opponents with those contentious Wrestlemania tactics, his own club wakes Saturday as rugby league’s new bad boys - with centre James Roberts and backrower Jaydn Su’A both on report for elbows to the head of fallen rivals.

Indeed, while the Bunnies were outstanding in a match billed as a battle between coaches Bennett and Anthony Seibold - with Benny, again, getting the chocolates - the bigger issue now is those immediate futures of a Souths pairing who were both sin binned for 10 minutes.

For undoubtedly, this Redfern mob looked every inch a September team.

Stars everywhere.

And none more so than livewire No.9 Cook, who orchestrated tries, scored one, churned through more tackles than any other player (47) and defended his tryline in the dying seconds like his life was being gambled on the result.

The hooker’s performance wasn’t missed by Seibold.

“Three tries a piece. But I think probably Damien Cook was the difference,” Seibold said.

“I’m really proud with how our guys are progressing. Obviously really disappointed with the result. We came here to win.”

Dane Gagai crossed early for the visitors. Picture: Bradley Kanaris

Everything, basically, except elbow someone in the head.

Which means now all eyes move onto a pair of incidents which, we reckon stats guru David Middleton would confirm, is the first time two players from the same NRL club have switched to another club mid season, then when playing said former club have both been sin binned - and for the same offence.

Oh, yeah ... then they still win the bloody game.

.

Jaydn Su'a was sent to the bin. Picture: Dan Peled

ELBOWS EVERYWHERE

Roberts produced arguably his best performance of the year against the club that tossed him aside. More worrying however, he also produced something resembling a ‘Peoples Elbow’ on Broncos winger Corey Oates, and as he lay concussed on the ground after a failed try attempt in the 14th minute.

Worse, shortly after Jimmy the Jet returned to play, it was backrower Su’A who got binned after he too came down with an elbow on Broncos centre, and former team-mate, Alex Glenn.

The moments of madness continue a run of bad behaviour from the Bunnies, who earlier this year also lost George Burgess for eye-gouging Wests Tigers veteran Robbie Farah, while brother Sam also made headlines recently for whacking Cronulla fullback Matt Moylan with a contentious high shot.

BENNETT WINS AGAIN

Twice this year Bennett has now played the franchise that punted him. And twice, the old bloke has won.

Which is good news for Benny, especially after the barrage of insults that was traded between the clubs this week.

But it wasn’t so great for Brisbane counterpart Seibold, with whom he did the rugby league equivalent of ‘Wife Swap’ over summer.

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Still this match, it wasn’t about the coaches.

No, for Souths, who were missing all three Burgess brothers, young prop Liam Knight was outstanding. Same deal backrower Cameron Murray, and halves Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds.

Souths coach Wayne Bennett said it had been a timely win for the club as they look to make their surge into the finals.

“It was a good win,” Bennett said.

“It’s a good time to do it.

“We needed a win like we won tonight.”

PAYNE IN THE HAAS

So how the bloody hell does anyone stop Payne Haas?

A scuffle broke out late in the game. Picture: Bradley Kanaris

Maybe a shovel to the face?

Or a Leopard Tank.

Put simply, good luck.

Already a lock for Dally M Rookie, Haas was once again provided one of those efforts that now his him in discussions for rugby leagues best prop in a match where he earned 232m. Elsewhere, fellow 19-year-old forward David Fifita was also strong, scoring a double.

SOUTH SYDNEY 22 (D Cook D Gagai C Walker tries A Reynolds 5 goals) bt BRISBANE 20 (D Fifita 2 K Staggs tries J Isaako 4 goals) at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins, Henry Perenara. Crowd: 33,225

Originally published as South Sydney edge Brisbane 22-20 as Wayne Bennett wins bragging rights