NRL Round 2: Sharks succumb to sloppy Souths

It was a match that could have been anything.

Three days after the full time whistle was blown, pundits are still trying to work out what they saw.

The record books will forever read South Sydney Rabbitohs gaining victory over the Cronulla Sharks 14-12 at ANZ Stadium, but the performances by both teams are an enigma in themselves.

Souths came into the game off the back of a strong performance in round one, where they flexed their premiership muscle – and showed some of that potential – in a 28-10 thumping of the Sydney Roosters.

Cronulla also came into the contest off the back of a first up win, but in completely different circumstances. After an effort the Spartans of Thermopylae would be proud of, they held out for a tough 12-10 win over the Titans.

Enter round two.

Souths started the game the same way they played last week.

They controlled the match, possession, field position, and posted two converted tries in the first 15 minutes.

The first try came in just the fourth minute when boom halfback Adam Reynolds spotted an open Andrew Everingham. A pinpoint cross field kick in behind the defence landed in Everingham’s arms, and he made no mistake in putting the ball down to score.

Reynolds’ boot featured again in the second try as he put Dylan Farrell over for a try of his own about the 15 minute mark. Reynolds took the line on as he did with the first try, but placed a grubber straight through the defensive line for Farrell to fly in from nowhere to score.

The man who could be the next NSW Origin halfback Reynolds converted both tries.

They had the Cronulla defence grabbing at shadows, and could easily have gone on to post a cricket score.

But whether it was the effects of an 11 day turnaround, or they simply believed the match was already won, the Rabbitohs let Cronulla off the hook.

Cronulla’s attack seemed to click in parts and only desperate defence held the Sharks out. They started making massive metres when they had the ball and forced the Rabbitohs to earn every inch – which they didn’t do easily.

The Sharks struck back only three minutes later when fullback Michael Gordon sliced through the defence. Gordon, who is potentially the most valuable recruit in season 2013, managed to slip through the tiniest of gaps in the Rabbitoh defence to put Cronulla on the board. His conversion made it 12-6 after 18 minutes.

From there the points dried up and the arm wrestle began.

Heavy hitting saw the ball dislodged before the fifth tackle, the referees warmed their whistles up and either indecisiveness – or desperate defence – forced several turnovers.

A penalty on the stroke of half time for holding down saw Reynolds extend the lead to 14-6, and it would also be the last time the Rabbitohs troubled the scorers.

Simple errors cost the Rabbitohs any momentum in the second half. What momentum they did have – which ended in two disallowed tries – was squandered due to simple mistakes.

Merritt seemingly sealed the game at the hour mark until the video referee noticed an obstruction in the lead up play.

The penalty count drifted up against the Rabbitohs and Cronulla put themselves in the box seat for an assault on victory.

Countless attacking raids saw the Rabbitohs defence muscle up and repel the invaders, while others contributed to the Sharks’ lofty error count (which ended up at 18).

The Rabbitohs somehow got themselves into an attacking position and had a chance at more points in the 65^th minute. That was until a wayward pass hit the deck and was scooped on by Sharks flyer Beau Ryan, who raced 92m to put his team within striking distance.

Gordon’s conversion made it 14-12 and set up a grandstand finish.

Souths would rekindle their relationship with the video referee when Adam Reynolds looked to have scored a match-sealer. Replays showed Isaac Luke interfered with the marker, and the try was disallowed.

With full time called, Souths remain one of only three undefeated teams in the competition while the Sharks have made a home mid-table.

Some commentators have suggested these close, scrappy games are the ones that premiership contenders have to win to make the big dance. While the performance wasn’t ideal, Souths can take solace from the fact they managed to secure the win, even if on the back of what they hope is their worst performance of the year.

The Sharks can take many positives as they continue to play under enormous pressure thanks to the ASADA investigation, but will be concerned they couldn’t score – or handle the ball – on the back of superior possession.