The Canterbury Bulldogs edged out the South Sydney Rabbitohs 24-18 in a thrilling NRL match at the Sydney Olympic Stadium, marked by a rare weather delay and a fierce comeback attempt from the Rabbitohs. South Sydney’s Felise Kaufusi was suspended for two weeks for the high shot. This specific incident escalated the pressure in an already intense battle.
This happened in the middle of a lightning delay that interrupted the match by half an hour. It was the first delay of its kind in an NRL match since Anzac Day 2015. Even with the intimidating weather conditions, a true testament to talent of both squads, the storied Bulldogs were cool under pressure to walk away with an impressive win.
Key Performances and Game Highlights
It was Toby Sexton that shone the brightest for the Bulldogs, kicking a penalty that put them ten points clear. His contributions couldn’t have come at a better time, with some speculation swirling about him being on the hot seat for the team.
“Some of the older boys that have been around for a long time said they haven’t been involved in anything like that. Bizarre.” – Toby Sexton
Montoya’s try was a huge boost on the attack for the Bulldogs— one that came completely against the run of play. His individual attempt had earlier delivered the collective with some much-needed wiggle room. Tyrone Munro capped an impressive debut by scoring the opening try in the corner. He took advantage of an outstanding kick from Isaiah Tass with a minute left to play.
Lachlan Galvin shone throughout the match, demonstrating agility and skill as he ran at the line, creating opportunities for his teammates. The Rabbitohs’ Tallis Duncan managed to break through Kiraz for a try, adding to the intensity of the match in the closing stages.
Weather Conditions and Match Dynamics
The game started under an extreme heat wave that reached up to 110F (43C). The competitors on the pitch were undeterred by the stifling weather. An old timer humorously remarked, “If it reaches 120 degrees you can all go home!” Players showed amazing professionalism in the face of impossible weather conditions.
That lightning delay surely didn’t take the fire out of either squad. With each team showing no absence of energy on either side, it became a dogfight right out of the gate. Jake Turpin’s dangerous high tackle earned a ten-minute sin bin penalty that left the Rabbitohs short-handed for the time being.
They fought valiantly to come back with South Sydney pushing forward with a remarkable Second Half revival. They could never quite punch through and dig themselves out of the Bulldogs’ hole. The last few minutes of the match were filled with electricity and suspense. The Rabbitohs fought hard for points during the match but were unable to achieve the win.
