The Canberra Raiders have fought back to defeat the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the Jersey Flegg, securing a 28-22 victory at GIO Stadium Canberra on Saturday afternoon.
Despite only taking their first lead in the final minutes of the match, the Raiders would continue to show their fighting spirit throughout the fixture before securing the victory in the 68th minute.
The Green Machine’s second rowers were clear standouts, with Josh Billing and Kaden Williams scoring three between them, while Noah Ryan’s kicking game was first class.
After multiple early repeat sets it was the Rabbitohs who were able to get the first try of the afternoon through Lachlan Gale. The front rower would collect the ball near the try line, crashing over to give his side a 4-0 lead in the fifth minute.
Tyrone Munro would add the extra two points from almost directly in front, handing the Rabbitohs an early 6-0 lead.
It would not take long for South Sydney to cross again, with Zane Bijorac getting the sides second of the afternoon. The centre would collect a pinpoint offload from Cruise Tweedie, finding the line in the eighth minute.
Munro could not convert from the sideline, leaving the Rabbitohs with a 10-0 lead.
The Raiders would soon hit back, with Noah Ryan producing a moment of magic to get Canberra back in the match. The halfback would find a steaming Josh Billing with a perfectly weighted pass, with the second rower scoring untouched in the 13th minute.
Ryan would miss the conversion, with the Rabbitohs still leading 10-4.
Canberra would soon find their second, courtesy of a brilliant Kaden Williams run. The second rower would find some space down the left-hand side, breezing to the try-line in the 20th minute.
Ryan would this time add the extras from the sideline, drawing the scores level at 10-all.
With mere minutes remaining in the first half, the Rabbitohs would regain the lead through the hands of Bijorac. The centre would cross for his second of the afternoon after finding some clear pasture down the right-hand side in the 31st minute.
Munro would convert from the sideline, handing South Sydney a 16-10 lead as both teams went to the sheds with the match firmly in the balance.
After a penalty in front of the posts in the 45th minute, the Rabbitohs opted to attempt a penalty conversion. Dion Teaupa would successfully add the two, taking the score to 18-10 in favour of South Sydney.
Yet again the Raiders would fight back, this time through Josh Allen. The interchange forward would barge through a set Rabbitohs defence, scoring in the 53rd minute.
Ryan would convert, with the Rabbitohs still leading 18-16.
An error off the kick-off would hand South Sydney brilliant field position, with the away side taking full advantage. Winger Deijion Leugaimafa would find some room on the outside of the Raiders left edge, scoring in the corner.
Munro would push his sideline conversion attempt to the right of the uprights, leaving the Rabbitohs leading 22-16 in the 56th minute.
The Raiders were however not done yet, with Williams crossing for his second in the 63rd minute. The second rower would show his speed and strength to cross over in the corner, breaking through multiple Rabbitohs defenders.
Ryan would kick the perfect conversion from the sideline, drawing the scores level at 22-all in the 66th minute.
The comeback would be complete only moments later, with Deakin Bright crossing for his first of the afternoon in the 68th minute. He would find space down his right edge, running infield to score under the posts.
Ryan would convert his fourth of the afternoon, handing the Raiders a crucial 28-22 victory.
Canberra will look to continue their winning ways when they travel to play the Wests Tigers next Sunday at 12pm, while the Rabbitohs will be looking to bounce back against the Parramatta Eels.
