NRL: Rabbitohs strike down Tigers

Nathan Merritt of the Rabbitohs makes a break. Photo / Getty Images

South Sydney Rabbitohs 29
Wests Tigers 18

South Sydney showed what an attacking force they can be this NRL season, in their comprehensive 29-18 defeat of Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

In bitter-sweet news for Rabbitohs fans, departing star Chris Sandow continued his rare form, with a personal tally of 13 points and a hand in almost all of Souths enterprising play.

Even though he's leaving Redfern for Parramatta at season's end, with Sandow firing, Souths again proved they could be the sleeping giant in the finals' race.

Wests, who trailed 27-0 at halftime, scored 18 points in the second 40 to keep alive some hope of a miracle comeback, but they never really deserved it.

Behind by the 11-point final margin with 11 minutes on the clock, Tigers prop Andrew Fifita came up with a huge play when he grubbered through for himself and brought down Souths fullback Rhys Wesser in-goal.

But while Rabbitohs fans, coaches and players alike were biting their fingernails as they prepared to defend the biggest set of the game, Sandow showed incredible skill and self confidence to go for a short restart and regain possession for his side.

It was a huge play which virtually sealed the result for the home side, who are back in the mix with the top eight teams.

The Rabbitohs dismantled the Tigers in the first half, with Issac Luke sharp out of dummy half and veteran fullback Wesser winding back the clock with some great runs.

Winger Nathan Merritt crossed for his 100th career try from a Sandow kick to begin the first half romp of four touchdowns.

The Rabbitohs were over again after 15 minutes, thanks to a brilliant offload from prop Ben Ross under pressure, which saw Luke streak away and Wesser finish under the posts.

Souths were enthusiastic despite the absence of stars Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and Roy Asotasi, while the Tigers were badly off the pace in the opening half. Their clumsiness was best illustrated in the 29th minute when, from a line dropout, Matt Utai and Ben Murdoch-Masila allowed the ball to find touch.

Souths made the Tigers pay for the mistake with a late flurry which saw tries to Fetuli Talanoa, Dylan Farrell and a field goal to Sandow.

The Tigers gave themselves hope thanks to solo try from hooker Robbie Farah early in the second half.

The NSW Origin hopeful threw the last pass for Utai to cross, before Benji Marshall stepped through with 13 minutes left on the clock to set up an exciting finish.

SOUTH SYDNEY 29 (D Farrell N Merritt F Talanoa R Wesser tries C Sandow 6 goals C Sandow field goal) bt WESTS TIGERS 18 (R Farah B Marshall M Utai tries B Marshall 3 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Steve Lyons, Jared Maxwell. Crowd: 18,245.

- AAP