Souths Sydney have ensured the New South Wales dominance of the NRL State Championship continued after posting a 42-22 win against Brisbane Tigers.
While it was a tight start to the game, with Rabbitohs overcoming a horror start where they knocked on the opening kick-off, they were able to turn that around to score the first try of the day thanks to Tyrone Munro, who finished the game with a hat-trick.
The Bunnies scored their second try on the opposite side of the field, making goal-kicking tricky for Dean Hawkins and keeping the Tigers in the game, with Cole Geyer going over with his first touch when he came on mid-way through the first half.
Cole Geyer Try
However, the Rabbitohs went into the break with winning momentum, with Munro sneaking over just before the halftime siren to help his side to a 12-6 lead with Hawkins unable to convert any of the first half tries.
Despite the Tigers being within reach of an upset, it was a telling period at the start of the second half where the Rabbitohs ran in three tries in six minutes to inflict major damage to the Tigers, with Ethan O'Neill crossing for the first try of the second half after putting in a good chase on a Hawkins kick.
Dion Teaupa Try
That was quickly followed by an against-the-odds put-down by Dion Teaupa, with the Rabbitohs seemingly doing their best not to score after taking some interesting options in the lead-up, before Munro completed his hat-trick after backing up some good work from his inside players.
Despite conceding those quick-fire tries, the Tigers didn't give up, and had a few close chances of their own in the second half; and were finally rewarded when Thomas Rafter went over with a nicely timed run onto a Ryley Jacks pass.
Thomas Rafter Try
That gave the Tigers some renewed energy and they upped the pressure on the Bunnies by throwing the ball around, but the NSW winners were able to hold firm, extinguishing Brisbane's fire when Tom Carr scooped up a loose Tigers pass off the deck to race the length of the field, scoring against the run of play and picking up his second try of the afternoon in the process.
From there, the Rabbitohs were in control, with Tallis Duncan scoring a late try in a fitting reward for a strong game.
The Tigers did manage to finish the match on a positive note however, crossing for two tries in a flurry, with consolation four-pointers to Solomona Faataape and Kane Bradley, who was one of the best for the Queensland side.
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Match Snapshot
- Rabbitohs winger Tyrone Munro picked up where he left off last week, and after scoring the match winner the NSW Cup final, he went over to score the first try in the NRL State Championship.
- Munro picked up Player of the Match honours after scoring a hat-trick in the game.
- After struggling in the first half to kick a goal, Dean Hawkins had no issues in the second, converting all five Rabbitohs tries.
- Tigers centre George Jennings left the field in the first after connecting with the arm of Jacob Gagai which caught his head and he failed his HIA.
- Brisbane forward were dealt another injury blow when Leivaha Pulu left the field in the second half with a calf tear.
- Rabbitohs fullback Blake Taafe was the player of the match in the NSW Cup grand final and he was again a handful, doing some good mop-up work at the back and also contributing with a try assist.
Tom Carr Try
- Brisbane Tigers defeated the Burleigh Bears 22-18 in Queensland's Hostplus Cup grand final to earn their place in the NRL State Championship.
- The Rabbitohs beat North Sydney Bears in the NSW Knock On Effect Cup, also with a score of 22-18.
- The Tigers were able to break a 32-year premiership drought in winning their Cup grand final. The Tigers had been in six grand finals prior and lost.
- While Queensland teams won the first two NRL State Championships in 2014 and 2015, it has sine been dominated by NSW Cup winners.
- The NRL State Championship was not played in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19 cancellation of the state competitions.
- South Sydney coach Joe O’Callaghan was a former coaching staff member at Brisbane Tigers, coaching in the junior ranks. O’Callaghan was also on staff in 2014 when the Northern Pride won the inaugural State Championship against Penrith Panthers.
Play of the Game
It was almost a full team effort, but Tyrone Munroe's try to secure his hat-trick went through plenty of hands before he was able to secure his milestone on grand final day.
Tyrone Munro Try
What They Said
NRL State Championship Press Conference: Souths v Tigers - Grand Final, 2023