![Marky Mark stars on debut as Roosters down Souths](/siteassets/2024/-nrl-season-/240905---round-27/240906---rabbitohs-v-roosters/76160331_roosters-celeb-240906_akk_4309_202496205131.jpg?center=0.24%2C0.61&preset=hero-primary-wide)
Ex-Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase scored with his first touch of the ball as Sydney Roosters kept alive their hopes of a top two berth with a 36-28 defeat of arch-rivals South Sydney at Accor Stadium.
Just a month after representing Australia at the Paris Olympics, Nawaqanitawase made an impressive NRL debut for the injury hit Roosters, who will enter the finals without halfback Sam Walker and hooker Brandon Smith (both ACL).
The win ensures the Roosters can't finish any lower than third place and if Penrith lose to the Titans on Saturday night they will climb to second spot and secure a home final.
Nawaqanitawase can JUMP!
If their ladder positions remain unchanged from the start of the round, the Roosters will play Penrith in the opening week of the play-offs.
The match was the last for Souths before Wayne Bennett returns as coach next season after taking the club to the 2021 grand final and the loss left them in 16th place following Parramatta's 60-26 defeat of Wests Tigers.
Thomas Burgess Try
Watched by a large group of family and friends, Nawaqanitawase - nicknamed "Marky Mark" - scored in the seventh minute after leaping above Rabbitohs winger Tyrone Munro to snatch a Luke Keary cross field kick.
Souths hit back when fullback Jye Gray sliced through the defence to score in the 23rd minute after playmaker Cody Walker held up a pass for the rookie speedster.
Jye Gray Try
Walker scored a try of his own in the 34th minute but it was bookended by a double to Roosters winger Fetalaiga Pauga and the visitors led 14-10 at halftime.
The Roosters started the second half with greater intensity and halfback Sandon Smith, making his first appearance in the position this season after the loss of Sam Walker (knee), put Sitili Tupouniua over in the 45th minute.
Captain James Tedesco was the next to score after backing up a break by second-rower Angus Crichton and when Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i crossed in the 51st minute the Roosters stormed to a 30-10 lead.
James Tedesco 1st Try
Tedesco got his second try in the 56th minute and Pauga completed his hat-trick five minutes later but injured his knee and failed to finish the match.
The Rabbitohs did not give up and Munro scored a stunning long range try to give Souths fans something to look forward to next season when Bennett returns.
Tyrone Munro Try
English prop Tom Burgess finished his career with the club on a high note after scoring in the 75th minute and he went one up on brother Sam by successfully landing the conversion.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 27 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
16th Position
away Team
Roosters
2nd Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match snapshot
The one, the only, Ron Coote
- Roosters forwards Angus Crichton (forearm) and Sitili Tupouniua (leg pull) were placed on report.
- Rabbitohs playmaker Cody Walker (212) surpassed Bob McCarthy (211) for the sixth most games in the myrtle-and-cardinal jersey.
- Souths farewelled long serving prop Tom Burgess, who has played the second most games (249) for the 1908 foundation club after 2014 premiership captain John Sutton (336).
- Former NSW Origin hooker Damien Cook also played his last game for he Rabbitohs before rejoining St George Illawarra.
- The Rabbitohs have won only two from 13 against current top eight teams this season.
- The Roosters have won five of their past six games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs halfback Cody Walker has scored eight tries from nine games against the Roosters at Accor Stadium.
- Rabbitohs prop Sean Keppie played his 100th NRL game, while Tongan forward Siliva Havili played his 150th.
Play of the game
Mark Nawaqanitawase Try
What they said
Rabbitohs: Round 27
Roosters: Round 27