Canberra Raiders have just claimed their spot in the NRL 2019 season grand final after thrashing the South Sydney Rabbitohs 16-10 in a crunching match at GIO Stadium.
The Raiders had the game going in their favour straight from the start with a spontaneous try in the 15th minute.
Hooker, Josh Hodgson, pulled a one-on-one strip from Ethan Lowe before putting a kick to the in-goal.
Following after the ball, Hodgson tackled Corey Allan who dropped the ball in Souths tryline, allowing centre, Jarrod Croker, to ground it for the try. Bringing the score to 6-nil after a successful conversion.
A couple of offloads after a scrum play caused a slow defence in the raiders line of play giving Dane Gagai the clear to score the bunnies first try and a successful conversion by halfback, Adam Reynolds, sealed the deal for first half of the match as both teams went head on at eachother in full power.
Raiders welcomed second half with a second try when fullback, Jack Wighton, got a boot to the ball, chasing down and grounding it in the corner for a 10-6 lead, holding off a strong defense against the bunnies who’ve had full power-house possession through the second-half, recapping on missed opportunities.
A little over 10minutes to go, the likes of the bunnies turned when Adam Reynolds sprinted down the field only to be intercepted by Raiders winger, Charnze Nikoll-Klokstad, who got sin binned for a professional foul.
Down by one player didn’t stop the green machine team from sealing the deal when Raiders lock, Josh Papalii, beat Damien Cook and Liam Knight to score right under the posts.
A moment the Rabbitohs couldn’t take back with a last minute try to Campbell Graham.
The Raiders return to the grand final after a 25 year drought and look set to redeem that title when they play against the winner of tomorrow night’s grudge match between the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne storm.
By Helen Sea – EMTV Sports – Port Moresby
