Rabbitohs under NRL investigation for playing with extra man in win over Broncos

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are being investigated by the NRL after playing with 14 men for a period of their huge win over the Brisbane Broncos.

NRL 2023 RD09 Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney Rabbitohs - Latrell Mitchell NRL PHOTOS

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are being investigated by the NRL after playing a period of their 32-6 win over the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night with 14 players on the field.

News Corp reports the incident occurred in the 53rd minute of the game with Jai Arrow and Davvy Moale entering the field as a double change for the Rabbitohs, replacing Tom Burgess and Tevita Tatola.

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It is understood that the extra player on field resulted from Moale failing to hand the sideline official the interchange card.

Players must hand a numbered interchange card to an official before they are allowed to enter the field.

The Rabbitohs had the extra man on the field for around 15 seconds, or around two plays in possession of the ball.

Brisbane was down to 12 players at the time of the incident, with Broncos centre Herbie Farnworth sin-binned at the time for tripping.

Screen grabs show Burgess (right) on field at the same time as Arrow (left), despite both being part of a double interchange involving Davvy Moale.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the incident was “not good enough”.

“It shouldn’t happen,” Abdo told 2GB’s Continuous Call Team.

“We need to have controls in place to make sure that it doesn’t happen again and obviously there has to be accountability for that.

“There’s a full review well underway (and) we’ll look to finalise that on Monday.”

South Sydney are unlikely to lose competition points over the bungle, however it is understood a monetary fine is likely.

The NRL will review the incident in full during a review on Monday morning and have asked for a report from both the ground manager and the interchange official in order to understand how the mistake was allowed to happen.

The Rabbitohs were at their attacking best as they tore the Broncos apart at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, with centre Campbell Graham on fire as he racked up three tries and staked his claim for a NSW Origin jersey.

The Rabbitohs are in hot water with the NRL. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The 23-year-old has had a taste of representative football already, winning last years’ World Cup with Australia and fans are tipping him to pull on the Sky Blue jersey for the first time.

While the likes of Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic were expected to be shoo-ins, the Sea Eagles star has been far from his best form this year and Graham has been making a near irresistible case for NSW coach Brad Fittler.

When he scored his third try against Brisbane, commentator Andrew Voss screamed: “Campbell Graham, excuse me sir, what size blue jersey do you take?”

Cooper Cronk added: “That blue jersey is extra-large because he’s got his name written all over it.”

He later added that it was “one of the best games of his career”.

“Three tries and a try assist and he was in everything tonight Campbell Graham,” Cronk said.

“I tell you what the talk around Latrell and the injuries to Tom Trbojevic.

“Latrell has got one spot. If Turbo is not fit then Campbell Graham absolutely.

“He might be in line for a wing spot as well. He is big, physical and reliable.

“Campbell Graham would do it justice. He has represented his country and played really well in the World Cup under Mal Meninga.

Graham Campbell was on fire. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“Graham has been sensational and deserves the opportunity to represent his state.”

Graham’s hat-trick saw him jump to the top of the NRL try scoring ladder after the match.

Fox Sports’ Michael Ennis said the rep retirement of Jack Wighton and Trbojevic injury could open the door for Graham.

“When you think of Origin and you think of those tough, grinding moments where you’re just under brutal fatigue and you’re holding on, he holds up in those pressure moments,” Ennis said.

Queensland great Gorden Tallis said Graham “wouldn’t look out of place” in the Origin arena.

“He’s a typical Origin player — he’s tough, uncompromising, and it’s the guy you don’t notice,” Tallis said.

“When you start watching him, he doesn’t make mistakes, he’s always in the action. He goes just in case he’s needed, not because he’s needed.

“Every collision he’s in, even the tries are around him, the offloads he gets. He’s just got everything you need. He does everything to a level his teammates would love.”

- with Andrew McMurtry