Rabbitohs leave it late to overcome Eels

A late try to Cameron McInnes has seen the South Sydney Rabbitohs walk away 14-12 winners over the Parramatta Eels at a rain-soaker ANZ Stadium in front of 11,568 fans.

With both sides coming into the Round 11 fixture in poor form, the Rabbitohs started strongly, posting an early try to rookie Aaron Gray, who beat Chris Sandow to a John Sutton grubber in the 9th minute.

Despite opening the scoring, South Sydney appeared to struggle in attack, which resulted in the Eels hitting back shortly after.

In the 15^th minute, Brad Takairangi leveled the scores for the visitors after being the beneficiary of a bomb taken by Eels winger Semi Radradra, who passed to his centre in support.

Five minutes out from the break, the Eels took the lead through Reece Robinson who finished off a lovely pass from Luke Kelly to touch down in the right corner.

With Sandow unable to convert either try or a penalty on halftime, the Eels took an 8-4 lead into the break.

In the 55th minute, Gray crossed for his fifth try in four matches to draw the scores level. With Issac Luke failing to convert, both sides entered the final 25 minutes knowing a win was essential for their chances of staying in touch with the competition heavyweights.

Parramatta looked to have wrapped up the game in the 67th minute after Manu Ma'u crossed in the corner, despite the efforts of Joel Reddy to knock the ball dead in-goal.

With Reece Robinson missing the conversion, the Eels took a narrow lead into the closing stages, but it would prove to be not enough to get them over the line.

Having earned a recall to first grade after a Man of the Match performance in reserve grade last week, Chris Sandow produced a crucial error close to his line, knocking on, providing the Rabbitohs with an opportunity to close out the match.

With five minute remaining, the rushing Eels defence opened up a gap for Cameron McInnes to slide through to touch down under the posts.

With Issac Luke finally landing a conversion, the Rabbitohs pulled off a 14-12 win.

For the Rabbitohs, a strong performance from interchange prop Nathan Brown ensured they remained in the contest, while Aaron Gray continued his try-scoring form.

Ben Lowe sustained an early medial liagament injury which should see the second-rower spend some time on the sidelines.

For the second straight week, the Eels were left to rue poor goalkicking. While Manu Ma'u and Brad Takairangi were strong on the left for the Eels, their inability to capitaise on a wealth of possession in the first half cost them dearly.

Next week the Rabbitohs will travel to the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon to take on the Titans, while the Eels will play the Panthers on Friday night at Pepper Stadium.

Match Details

South Sydney Rabbitohs 14 Parramatta Eels 12
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Crowd: 11568
Halftime Score: South Sydney Rabbitohs 4 Parramatta Eels 8

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (14)
Tries: Aaron Gray (2), Cameron McInnes
Field Goals:
Conversions: Issac Luke (1/3)
Penalty Goals:

PARRAMATTA EELS (12)
Tries: Brad Takairangi, Reece Robinson, Manu Ma'u
Field Goals:
Conversions: Chris Sandow (0/2), Reece Robinson (0/1)
Penalty Goals: Chris Sandow (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Nathan Brown
2 points - John Sutton
1 point - Manu Ma'u

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Round 11 Friday Night Football between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium.

As we enter the Origin period, both sides have failed to reach their potential so far.

The Rabbitohs will be 1-17, with the only change being Issac Luke starting in jersey #14 in place of Cameron McInnes.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has responded to Chris Sandow's outstanding showing for Wentworthville last week, by promoting him to Fullback. With Sandow back in the NRL side, Reece Robinson will move to wing, forcing John Folau back to NSW Cup.

Junior Paulo will also make his return to the NRL after a 9-match suspension sustained in the opening round. Originally named on the bench, Paulo will start in the front-row ahead of the in-form Danny Wicks.

Back in Round 4, Chris Sandow starred for the Eels in their 29-16 win at Pirtek Stadium.

With both sides displaying plenty of promise early on, neither side has been able to produce consistent form.

After a promising start to 2015, the Rabbitohs have struggled in the absence of Adam Reynolds, losing all four matches without the #7 since Good Friday.

At their best, the Eels have been outstanding in stages throughout 2015. However, their best form has been inconsistent, managing 3 wins from 10 matches.

Kick-off only minutes away.

Souths kick off and Tim Mannah takes the first run of the night.

1: John Sutton finds touch inside the Eels 20 metres.

3: Corey Norman's kick is picked up by Aaron Gray who is awarded a penalty.

4: One-up football appears to be the order of the day given the rainy conditions at ANZ Stadium.

4: Sutton kicks for a Rabbitohs chaser but Semi Radradra is able to clean up.

5: Semi Radradra makes a good tackle on Joel Reddy that almost results in a South Sydney penalty for a second effort.

6: Chris Sandow makes a great catch after a big bomb from John Sutton.

7: Penalty to South Sydney. Tackled past the horizontal by Tepai Moeroa.

8: Manu Ma'u and Junior Paulo pull off a great shot on David Tyrell which has left Ma'u clutching at an arm.

9: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Aaron Gray. Kick to come.
Following a John Sutton behind the Eels defenders, Gray is able to beat Sandow to the ball to score opening points.

10: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke unsuccessful.
From the touchline, Luke is well wide.

11: Ben Lowe is writhing in pain with what appears to be a knee injury.

11: Lowe is being escorted off by the Rabbitohs trainer. Tom Burgess to come on.

11: Luke Keary puts in a poor kick which is taken by Radradra with ease.

12: Junior Paulo knocks on after a Luke Kelly pass.

13: Luke Keary bombs, but once again Sandow catches.

14: Parramatta try a spread to the left which sees the Eels up to the halfway line.

15: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Brad Takairangi. Kick to come.
Semi Radradra is able to pass to his centre, who dives over in the corner.

16: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow unsuccessful.
From the sideline, Sandow pushes the kick wide.

17: Sandow kicks inside the 40, but Alex Johnston is able to clean up.

18: Once again, Chris Sandow has little pressure put on him from a John Sutton bomb.

19: Danny Wicks into the action, replacing Junior Paulo.

20: Tim Grant on for South Sydney.

21: Parramatta move the football to the right, before Ryan Morgan is shut down by the South Sydney defenders.

22: Report on Ben Lowe: Grade 2 Medial. Not expected to return tonight, likely to spend time on the sidelines.

22: South Sydney force the Eels back with a great kick.

23: South Sydney have made ground without a great deal of trouble, but the Eels have looked more threatening with the football.

23: Nathan Brown on for the Rabbitohs. Peni Terepo on for Parramatta.

24: Parramatta knock on 20 metres out from their own line.

26: South Sydney butcher an opportunity to score, allowing the ball into touch.

27: Corey Norman finds touch close the the Rabbitohs goal line.

29: Eels inside the South Sydney half, looking threatening.

30: Sandow puts too much on a grubber in-goal.

31: Once again, John Sutton puts in a grubber kick reminiscent of the first try, only for Luke Kelly to clean it up.

32: Kelly loses the ball on halfway, only for the Rabbitohs to knock on after taking their advantage. Eels scrum close to halfway.

32: Pauli Pauli loses the ball, but earns a penalty.

33: Danny Wicks earns a penalty, as Richie Fa'aoso is receiving treatment for a possible head knock.

35: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Reece Robinson. Kick to come.
Beautiful cut-out pass from Luke Kelly sees the Eels cross in the corner.

36: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow unsuccessful.
As the rain continues to pour heavily, Sandow pushes his kick to the left.

36: George Burgess down injured. Possibly hit by the raiser forearm of Richie Fa'aoso.

36: No penalty. Eels to continue.

36: Nathan Brown destroys Danny Wicks with a massive shot. The Rabbitohs have fired up.

37: Chris McQueen knocks on at the halfway mark.

40: Parramatta elect to take a long-range penalty on halftime.

40: UNSUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL PARRAMATTA EELS
Penalty goal attempt by Chris Sandow unsuccessful.
Sandow is unsuccessful, leaving the score at 8-4.

40: Kelly kicks off as Tom Burgess takes the first run of the half.

41: Chargedown by Danny Wicks, but he knocks on trying to play the ball.

43: Sandow picks up another South Sydney bomb.

44: Parramatta allow the ball to bounce, but eventually come up with possession.

46: Nathan Brown takes another strong run for South Sydney. The former Tiger has been outstanding so far tonight.

46: Luke Keary takes on the line, but is pulled down close to the line.

46: Video Referee checking a possible try to Joel Reddy, but his feet are in touch.

47: Parramatta make a long-range break.

48: Luke Kelly opts to kick in-goal, but Alex Johnston cleans up.

49: Cameron McInnes coming on for the Rabbitohs.

52: Parramatta are on-top at the moment, but the Rabbitohs are capable of coming up with the win.

52: Chris Sandow cleans up a Luke Keary chip kick, only to be forced in-goal. Line Dropout.

53: Penalty to South Sydney.

53: Tim Grant is short of the line, but earns a penalty.

55: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Aaron Gray. Kick to come.
Once again, Gray crosses out wide. Scores level with a kick to take the lead.

56: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke unsuccessful.
Once again, the goal-kickers can't land a conversion.

57: Penalty to South Sydney.

58: Semi Radradra can't hold on to the ball. If he was able to keep the ball, he was a chance of going the length of the field.

60: David Tyrell loses the ball close to the line. Had he been able to keep possession, the front-rower would've been over.

62: Dylan Walker lose the ball near halfway giving the Eels a chance.

63: An offload to no-one from the Eels results in Souths picking up possession.

64: A brilliant chip from Sutton is knocked dead by Ryan Morgan. Big chance for South Sydney.

66: Brad Takairangi is able to beat the Rabbitohs to the ball, alleviating the pressure on the Eels.

67: Manu Ma'u is claiming a try, but there have been a number of players on both sides touching the ball.

67: The referee has ruled a Try, but there may be a knock on from Semi Radradra.

67: Ma'u may have dropped the ball in trying to ground the ball.

67: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Manu Ma'u. Kick to come.
Parramatta take the lead!

68: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Reece Robinson unsuccessful.
With his first shot of the night, Robinson pushes the kick wide.

69: Good kick and chase from Chris Sandow to put pressure on Alex Johnston.

70: South Sydney run the ball on the last, but the Eels come away with the ball.

71: Sandow knocks on.

72: Nathan Brown loses the ball in a tackle around the ribs.

73: Manu Ma'u loses the ball close the Rabbitohs line.

74: Sandow knocks on close to his own line. Huge chance for South Sydney to take back the lead.

75: Cameron McInnes has made his way through a huge gap in the Eels line. The referee has signalled a try, but is checking for obstruction.

75: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Cameron McInnes. Kick to come.
After struggling for much of the game, the Rabbitohs have the lead with only minutes remaining.

76: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
From right in front, the Rabbitohs #9 kicks the first goal of the match.

78: Parramatta spread the ball to Semi Radradra who is taken inside Souths half.

78: Corey Norman grubbers, but the ball beats Semi Radradra to go dead.

79: Keary takes on the line but has been crunched by Richie Fa'aoso.

79: Alex Johnston is taken on the last with time all but up.

79: The Eels will have 30 seconds to come up with a miracle try.

80: Reece Robinson can't break the Rabbitohs defenders, as the siren sounds. Rabbitohs win.