Media Reports

[Guest]

Tigers too strong for sorry Rabbitohs - SMH
April 8, 2011 - 9:37PM

Wests Tigers 30 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
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The Wests Tigers have limped out of their casualty ward and handed out the medicine to South Sydney with a stunning 30-6 victory in their NRL clash at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Missing four stars and with captain Robbie Farah battling a nagging groin injury, the Tigers turned on the razzle dazzle against a Rabbitohs outfit lacking intensity, handing coach Tim Sheens his first win in 18 attempts against John Lang-coached sides.

The home side also had to contend with losing prop Keith Galloway for the second half with a groin injury of his own.

Outstanding backrower Simon Dwyer bagged a double, while Benji Marshall, Wade McKinnon and Mitch Brown also scored tries for the Tigers, with the Rabbitohs' sole four-pointer coming courtesy of Chris Sandow.

Marshall booted five from six, while Sandow managed one for Souths in front of a crowd of 22,677.

The Tigers could have been expected to go back to basics with their injury woes and after last week's 24-6 drubbing by the Sydney Roosters.

But, with Marshall or Farah having a hand in each of the Tigers' tries, they played hot potato football from the opening minutes.

They led 12-6 at halftime but two tries in three minutes after the break to Brown and Dwyer meant it was 22-6 at the 49 minute mark.

When the Rabbitohs opened the scoring in just the fourth minute through Sandow, the predictions that the depleted Tigers' season would be in strife looked on the money.

But a piece of Marshall magic, with the Kiwi maestro beating four on the way to the line, drew the home side even and from that point they totally out-enthused the Bunnies.

Farah proved his osteitis pubis was on the mend when he scooted 30m from dummy half to send McKinnon over before Moltzen sent a beautiful ball to Brown six minutes after the break and a rampaging Dwyer charged 40m in the 49th.

Dwyer added his second when he stormed onto a Marshall pass in the 70th minute

Souths prop Luke Stuart suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury which could end his season and Souths face St George Illawarra, Canterbury and Cronulla in the their next three matches.

WESTS TIGERS 30 (S Dwyer 2 M Brown B Marshall W McKinnon tries B Marshall 5 goals B Marshall 2 field goals) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 6 (C Sandow try C Sandow goal) at Sydney Football Stadium. Referee: Adam Devcich, Ashley Klein. Crowd: 22,677.

 

[Guest]

WESTS TIGERS CRUSH SOUTHS 30-6 IN NRL
By Wayne Cousins, SFS
8/04/2011 9:26:13 PM

A superb performance from five-eighth Benji Marshall has delivered Wests Tigers a dominant victory over South Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium tonight in round 5 of the Telstra Premiership.

In front of a crowd of 22, 677, Marshall showed why he was voted the world’s best player last year with the Golden Boot winner’s class cutting the Rabbitohs apart.

Marshall was in everything, scoring a try, setting them up, kicking goals to stopping four pointers with great cover defence. A stint in the sin bin late in the game couldn’t take the gloss off his outstanding performance.

The hard work of the Wests Tigers forwards allowed Marshall and hooker Robbie Farah to weave their magic. Second-rower Simon Dwyer produced his best game of the season in scoring two tries. He had a field day running off Marshall.

Gareth Ellis – the world’s best second-rower – had a strong impact in his first game back from an ankle injury suffered in round one.

It was a strong victory by the injured ravaged Wests Tigers, leaving them with 3 wins from 5 matches.

And Wests Tigers did it too with lost prop Keith Galloway with a groin injury for the entire second half, leaving the side with just three reserves on the bench.

South Sydney opened the scoring in the 4th minute when a short pass by half-back Chris Sandow put prop Roy Asotasi into a gap before popping a pass back inside for Sandow to score next to the posts. Sandow converted his own try for a 6-0 lead.

Wests Tigers came close to scoring in the 9th minute when winger Matt Utai attempted to knock back a grubber kick in-goal but the ball went dead. It was a gallant attempt by the short Utai.

Wests Tigers supporters were chanting ‘Benji Benji’ in the 16th minute when from a scrum win, he stepped, weaved and then pushed off the defence to race away to score under the posts in a 40 metre run. It was a touch of class from the Kiw Test captain. Marshall converted his own try for a 6-all scoreline.

Wests Tigers centre Blake Ayshford was denied a certain try due to a forward pass from lock Chris Heighington in the 29th minute.

Heighington was then hit by centre Greg Inglis after he passed the ball but no action was taken. Heighington played on.

A dart from dummy half by Wests Tigers captain and hooker Robbie Farah saw him brush off Michael Croker to find open space before passing inside for full-back Wade McKinnon to score behind the posts. Marshall converted the try to give Wests Tigers a 12-6 lead after 35 minutes. It was McKinnon’s first try for Wests Tigers in 2011.

Marshall went for a long range field goal inside the final seconds of the first half but it narrowly went left of the post to leave Wests Tigers with a 12-6 lead at half-time.

2ND Half

Wests Tigers lost prop Keith Galloway with a groin injury for the second half.
A great short pass by half-back Tim Moltzen sent winger Mitch Brown over in the left corner in the 45th minute. It came on the back of a huge play by right winger Matt Utai who in making a tackle on opposite winger Fetuli Talanoa forced the ball over the sideline from a downfield kick by Marshall.

Marshall failed to convert the try to leave Wests Tigers leading 16-6.
A minute later, Marshall faked a pass acrossfield before putting second-rower Simon Dwyer into a gap. The exciting young second-rower had McKinnon in support on his inside but brushed passed full-back Rhys Wesser to score next to the posts. Marshall converted the try for a 22-6 lead after 50 minutes.

Sheer determination by Marshall in chasing Souths second-rower David Taylor saw the big forward throw a pass over the sideline in the 59th minute just metres from the tryline.

Marshall repeated the performance minutes later when he drove Taylor into the ground, forcing him to lose the ball metres from the tryline.
A penalty goal to Marshall in the 65th minute stretched Wests Tigers lead to 24-6.

Marshall was at it again, this time in attack, when he delivered a superb short pass to put Dwyer over for his second try. Marshall converted from close range to give Wests Tigers a commanding 30-6 lead after 71 minutes.

Marshall was sin-binned for holding Taylor down too long in the 75th minute. Marshall finished the game with a standing ovation as he headed for the tunnel.

 

[Guest]

Marshall stars as Tigers savage Souths - ABC Grandstand

Updated April 8, 2011 22:01:00

Benji Marshall exploited the NRL's most generous defence as Wests Tigers beat the Rabbitohs 30-6 in clash at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday evening.

South Sydney came into the Heritage Round encounter having scored (112) and conceded (116) the most points in the competition through four rounds and put its only try on the board through Chris Sandow just four minutes in.

Missing four stars and with captain Robbie Farah battling a nagging groin injury, the Tigers turned on the razzle-dazzle against a Rabbitohs outfit lacking intensity, handing coach Tim Sheens his first win in 18 attempts against John Lang-coached sides.

The home side also had to contend with losing prop Keith Galloway for the second half with a groin injury of his own.

Outstanding backrower Simon Dwyer bagged a double, while Marshall, Wade McKinnon and Mitch Brown also scored tries for the Tigers.

Marshall booted five from six, while Sandow managed one for Souths in front of a crowd of 22,677.

The Tigers could have been expected to go back to basics with their injury woes and after last week's 24-6 drubbing by the Sydney Roosters.

But, with Marshall or Farah having a hand in each of the Tigers' tries, they played hot potato football from the opening minutes.

They led 12-6 at half-time but two tries in three minutes after the break to Brown and Dwyer meant it was 22-6 at the 49 minute mark.

When the Rabbitohs opened the scoring in just the fourth minute through Sandow, the predictions that the depleted Tigers' season would be in strife looked on the money.

But a piece of Marshall magic, with the Kiwi maestro beating four on the way to the line, drew the home side even and from that point they totally out-enthused the Bunnies.

Farah proved his osteitis pubis was on the mend when he scooted 30 metres from dummy half to send McKinnon over before Moltzen sent a beautiful ball to Brown six minutes after the break and a rampaging Dwyer charged 40m in the 49th.

Dwyer added his second when he stormed onto a Marshall pass in the 70th minute

Souths prop Luke Stuart suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury which could end his season and Souths faces St George Illawarra, Canterbury and Cronulla in its next three matches.

- ABC/AAP

 

[Demps]

Conan, what is best in life ?
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

 

[Guest]

Dazzling Tigers defy injury toll

* David Beniuk
* From: The Courier-Mail
* April 09, 2011 12:00AM

THE Wests Tigers last night limped out of their casualty ward and handed out the medicine to South Sydney with a stunning 30-6 victory at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Missing four stars and with captain Robbie Farah battling a nagging groin injury, the Tigers turned on the razzle-dazzle against a Rabbitohs outfit lacking intensity, handing coach Tim Sheens his first win in 18 attempts against John Lang-coached sides.

The Tigers also had to contend with losing prop Keith Galloway for the second half with a groin injury.

Backrower Simon Dwyer bagged a double, while Benji Marshall, Wade McKinnon and Mitch Brown also crossed. Marshall booted five from six.

The Tigers could have been expected to go back to basics with their injury woes and after last week's 24-6 drubbing by the Roosters. But, with Marshall or Farah having a hand in each of the Tigers' tries, they played hot-potato football from the opening minutes.

They led 12-6 at halftime but two tries in three minutes after the break to Brown and Dwyer made it 22-6 at the 49-minute mark. Sheens laughed off finally getting one over Lang, who he has battled since 1995.

"One to me and 17 to him," Sheens said. "He'll retire. I'll never catch him now."

A relieved Farah was pleased how his injury had improved during the week.

"Tonight I was up for a big game," he said. "I was pretty embarrassed with the way I played last week so I kind of had a point to prove on an individual level and I was happy with the way I bounced back."

Lang said the Tigers had shown his players what was needed for a serious finals campaign.

Tigers centre Geoff Daniela compounded the club's injury crisis with a suspected torn pectoral muscle. Souths prop Luke Stuart suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury which could end his season.

 

[Guest]

Right on cue, brilliant Marshall comes up with the unexpected again
Glenn Jackson - SMH
April 9, 2011

WESTS TIGERS have always been an ''expect the unexpected'' kind of team. Last night was the ultimate, though. Racked with injuries and against a side back in form, one that gave them the mother of all touch-ups last year, and with a coach who has failed to beat his opposite in 17 attempts, few gave the Tigers much hope. But you have to learn to expect the unexpected with these guys.

MATCH STATS

Benji Marshall is the best example of why you do, and he was instrumental in last night's exorcism of last year's 50-10 defeat at the hands of the Rabbitohs. He has been some player so far this year. This was never going to be boring to watch and so it proved. Even in their mistakes, these teams are nothing if not entertaining. Balls went to cameramen, chip kicks failed to pay off, little blokes busted through big guys and the big guys busted a lung trying to keep up with the frenzy. Marshall was eventually given a standing ovation after being sin-binned with five minutes to go.

It was that sort of night. He could do no wrong, even when he did.

And the good stuff? The first two tries were glittering examples of fearless and flawless attacking football. First, after just four minutes, Souths captain Roy Asotasi busted up the guts and sent an around-the-back ball to halfback Chris Sandow, who scored. It was the start they were craving, but in some ways maybe it was one they could have done without. Few would have expected the Tigers to stay with the Rabbitohs on this night, let alone win, and the start showed what the injury-crippled home side was up against.

Did the Rabbitohs start to believe it? About the same time as their first try, they dropped off tackles and dropped the ball. Five-eighth Marshall needs no invitation; a scrum was all he needed to carve out the response.

His 16th-minute effort was the reason why scrums are important, even if still a controversial part of the code. They give players like him a little extra space and he used it to the greatest advantage by dummying, stepping and stretching out to score. The extra room from the new scrum laws was also critical here. It was no conventional scrum move, but it was some move. Both sides created opportunities, but it was the Tigers who came up with more. And they were rewarded when, with just five minutes remaining in the half, captain Robbie Farah fended off one of the game's better defenders in Michael Crocker and sent fullback Wade McKinnon over.

After half-time, the Tigers went up a gear. Marshall's long kick gave Fetuli Talanoa possession close to the touchline and the pocket battleship Matt Utai forced the ball over it. Two plays from the scrum win, halfback Tim Moltzen drifted across field and showed he had not lost his touch through his long lay-off when he sent Mitch Brown over in the corner.

Three minutes later, Marshall was the maestro. He similarly drifted and Simon Dwyer took advantage, storming into space before he fooled Rhys Wesser into thinking that a young second-rower wouldn't be so brash as to dummy with a man either side of him. Dwyer did, and scored, and showed he might have something as effective as a good right shoulder.

Marshall finished the match watching on from the sidelines after being sin-binned for a professional foul. It was a deserved early shower after giving the Rabbitohs a bath.

 

[Guest]

From red-faced to red hot: Farah celebrates spectacular turnaround
Glenn Jackson
April 9, 2011

EMBARRASSED five days earlier, Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah admitted he had a point to prove last night against South Sydney - one he carried through emphatically in a performance he rated one of the club's best victories.

After the Tigers defeated the Rabbitohs 30-6 at the SFS, Farah said he had wanted to make up for an off day at the same ground last Sunday against the Roosters. Farah had been struggling with a groin injury leading up to that defeat and admitted he was off his game. However, he put that, and his troublesome groin, behind him to lead the Tigers to victory against the Rabbitohs.

''I was really disappointed that I let that happen,'' Farah said. ''Tonight I was up for a big game. I was pretty embarrassed with the way I played last week, so I kind of had a point to prove on an individual level. I was happy with how I bounced back.''

Lauded for their attack, the Tigers were themselves thanking their defence for their win, keeping the side with the most points and the most tries so far this season to just six points during the game.

''Keeping them to six … I was very pleased to be able to handle [Greg] Inglis and [Dave] Taylor and company on one side and the young bloke who scored three tries against us the last time we played them [centre Dylan Farrell],'' Sheens said. ''Even down to 12 men, we could have easily given up another try. We didn't, which was pleasing. These things come back later on in the year.''

Benji Marshall said: ''Everyone knows that we can build attack, but when we don't defend we lose games. We won off the back of defence.''

The victory might not have erased the memories of last season's 50-10 thrashing at the hands of the same team, but it certainly put them aside.

With legends from both clubs watching on as part of the Heritage Round celebrations, Farah had urged his players to ''represent the jersey we're wearing'' - something they failed to do at the SCG in round 10 last year, a match regarded as one of the club's low points.

Farah said the resounding victory last night ranked as one of the high points in his career.

''Obviously we had a lot of past players watching,'' he said. ''Our attitude and the way we played did them justice. It was really pleasing.

''I thought it was one of the best wins we've had considering the amount of injuries we've got.''

Unfortunately, their injury problems have worsened. Centre Geoff Daniela, in the side for the injured Chris Lawrence, tore his pectoral muscle in a potentially season-ending injury, while prop Keith Galloway suffered an adductor strain.

''We have got a lot of depth, but there is a limit,'' Sheens lamented. ''One or two - eleven's a bit of an issue. But we're not whingeing, we're three-and-two, and we've got next week to look forward to.''

Sheens said he was still hopeful Galloway would play next Friday night against Gold Coast.

''Without a Wests Tigers hat on, he's playing great football,'' Sheens said. ''Not just with the ball, but in defence as well. There's plenty of redhead come out in him this year. I don't think he'll be out for any length of time. He's playing great footy.''

For Sheens, the victory gave him some personal satisfaction against Souths' John Lang. The opposing coach had beaten Sheens's teams in 17 consecutive matches. ''One to me and 17 to him,'' Sheens said. ''I've still got a long way to go. He'll retire - I'll never catch him.''

 

[Guest]

Souths would give any new coach nightmares
Brad Walter - SMH
April 9, 2011

RABBITOHS chief executive Shane Richardson was asked before last night's match about Wayne Bennett's decision to knock back an offer from the Broncos.

''One thing we know is that Anthony Griffin won't be coaching South Sydney next year,'' Richardson told the reporter.

Asked about the chances of Bennett coaching Souths, Richardson offered a firm ''no comment''.

But if the Rabbitohs were hoping to use last night's performance against Wests Tigers to convince Bennett to take over the coaching reins from John Lang next season, what would he have made of their 30-6 loss to Wests Tigers? After all, by announcing he was leaving St George Illawarra and now having rejected Brisbane's approach, Bennett will attempt to become the first coach in history to win premierships at three clubs.

According to speculation during the off-season, Bennett wanted to make sure before he quit the Dragons that the club he was going to could win a grand final in the next two years, and if he had any doubts he would stay put for a season to enable them to build a better team.

If true, are Souths better positioned to be that team than Newcastle? Not on last night's effort. After getting off to a great start when captain Roy Asotasi put halfback Chris Sandow over in the fourth minute, the Rabbitohs fell apart. Just like they did against the Roosters and Bulldogs in the opening two rounds and almost did against Manly last week. Dropped balls, forward passes, poor kicks, missed tackles and dumb penalties are no way to win any game in the NRL.

Going into last night's match, Souths had the best attack in the NRL - and the worst defence. Against any team containing Benji Marshall, that is a recipe for disaster.

Marshall mesmerised the Rabbitohs' defence with a dummying, stepping, 30-metre run to score from a 16th-minute scrum win and laid on two tries for second-rower Simon Dwyer in a five-star performance that would have caused most of the 22,677 crowd at the SFS to forget that the Tigers had 10 of their top 33-man squad on the injured list.

Many felt that captain Robbie Farah should have joined them but he appeared less hindered by his bout of osteo pubis than in previous games this season and a trademark run from dummy half led to fullback Wade McKinnon scoring in the 35th minute. The Tigers also achieved their win without prop Keith Galloway in the second half after he succumbed to a groin injury at the interval. Yet they managed to hold Souths out for the final six minutes of the match when Marshall was in the sin bin for a professional foul.

Souths lost prop Luke Stuart after an awkward 55th-minute tackle left him with a knee injury that may sideline him for the season, but they were simply outclassed.

''If Wayne wants a challenge, I think South Sydney can give him that challenge,'' Souths assistant coach and Bennett's former captain at the Broncos, Gorden Tallis, told Fox Sports. ''I think South Sydney is very close to a premiership - Sam Burgess, Dave Taylor, Roy Asotasi, Issac Luke in the forward pack …

''[Then there's] Greg Inglis and obviously Darius Boyd goes with him - maybe that's the secret recipe that South Sydney needs. South Sydney is the most traditional club, they haven't won a competition for a long, long time … one thing that we could offer him would probably be a premiership within three years.''