Match Report: Round 22 vs Rabbitohs

After trailing by fourteen points at half-time, Wests Tigers cut the lead to just two with 23 minutes to play before the Rabbitohs scored a pair of late tries to seal victory.

The hosts endured a nightmare start to the game as a John Bateman pass was intercepted by Alex Johnston, who ran sixty metres to open the scoring.

South Sydney nearly had another try after an error from Jahream Bula, but the Wests Tigers defence held firm and the home side were soon invited onto the attack.

In his return from a hamstring injury, halfback Luke Brooks made an immediate impact by sliding a grubber kick through traffic, which drew a deflection and fell into the waiting arms of Api Koroisau.

The Wests Tigers skipper has now crossed for a four-pointer in three consecutive matches.

South Sydney regained the lead following a break from Taane Milne that led to Isaiah Tass crossing for a try on the left flank.

Tass then pushed away from two defenders before providing the pass that allowed Alex Johnston to complete his fifth career double against Wests Tigers.

A penalty and two set restarts put Keaon Koloamatangi in position to claim the visitors’ fourth and final try of the first half.

Wests Tigers enjoyed a much better start to the second forty as Luke Brooks and Jahream Bula combined on both sides of the ruck to send Api Koroisau through the line.

Koroisau bravely wore a shot from Latrell Mitchell after placing a well-weighted grubber kick that was grounded successfully by Isaiah Papali’i.

Tim Sheens’ side then created a pair of golden chances with a surprise short-side raid and an audacious shift on the first tackle.

Junior Tupou and Starford To’a were unable to ice their respective breaks, but Fonua Pole soon embarked on a charging run that led to the lock-forward’s third try of the season.

A trademark South Sydney right-to-left passing play saw Alex Johnston push the buffer back to eight points before Cameron Murray burst through to secure a fourteen-point victory for the Rabbitohs.

While his side were ultimately defeated, Api Koroisau put on a show in front of a record crowd in Tamworth with an inspiring performance on both sides of the ball.

The crafty hooker ended the match with a try, one try assist and 120 kicking metres to go with a game-high 47 tackles.

Wests Tigers will now travel south to face the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon in Round 23.