The Botak
20-05-08, 07:03 AM
South Sydney Rabbitohs submit meekly to Canberra Raiders
By Steve Mascord in Canberra | May 19, 2008 09:00pm
STRUGGLING South Sydney face a fresh hurdle this morning after their dismal loss to Canberra last night with the Raiders foreshadowing complaints against Roy Asotasi and David Kidwell for chicken-wing tackles.
Despite spending most of the weekend in the national capital preparing for their Monday Night Football clash with the Green Machine, Souths conceded more points than they have for two years in an awful 38-10 belting at Canberra Stadium.
"It seems like we go out there and we just don't want to win," said captain Asotasi.
But just when it seemed things couldn't get any worse for the beleaguered bunnies, Raiders chief executive Don Furner said he expected the club to fire in complaints over "ripper"-style tackles by prop Asotasi and second-rower Kidwell on Dane Tilse and Glen Turner.
Five-eighth Dean Widders could also be in trouble for a head slam on Raiders captain Alan Tongue.
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"The replay clearly showed his (Turner's) arm was being ripped," Furner said.
"We only spilt the ball once in the first half and that was when that was happening to GT's arm.
"It also happened to Dane Tilse. I am sure Neil Henry will look at it and what I said during the game that we would probably send in a complaint."
With owner Russell Crowe watching on a rare visit to the national capital, the Rabbitohs had the worst of starts when Shannon Hegarty and Nathan Merritt failed to clean up Todd Carney's kick and Joel Monaghan scored in the first minute.
"It puts a dull thought in their minds, after 45 seconds and we get a try," said Carney. "Then we got a 40-20 as well."
The Rabbitohs hit back through centre Beau Champion in the 13th minute but from then on it was all lime green, Souths only adding to their four points with Widders' try in the final 60 seconds.
Shortly after having his arm wrenched in a tackle, Turner threw a dummy and went straight over the top of Manase Manuokafoa for a try. Terry Campese's pass put replacement Trevor Thurling over for a soft try and then the off-contract Campese got a spectacular try of his own after chasing Tongue's kick in mid-field.
The second half, which started with Canberra already holding a 24-4 lead, was largely a non-event.
Carney and Bronx Goodwin combined for Monaghan to score, Adrian Purtell chased a kick into the in-goal for his try and then Goodwin beat some threadbare defence from an almost-standing start.
"Canberra came out and wanted to win that game," lamented Asotasi. "They wanted it more than us.
"Our starts to both halves, there was no intensity there . . . "
Coach Jason Taylor added: "The start didn't help and we worked hard to get back into the game after that but in the end we just had to make too many tackles.
"They scored a lot of tries off kicks . . . we weren't as bad defensively as we've been a few times this year, to be honest.
"We've done a lot of talking . . . we've just got to look at what we're doing and go again. We play the Melbourne Storm next week so it doesn't get any easier."
Widders was penalised for slamming hooker Tongue's head against the ground but referee Gavin Badger did not report the incident. "It was a penalty but I don't think there was any malice in it," said Tongue.
Raiders coach Neil Henry said he had not had a good look at the "chicken wing" incidents. "I saw a replay there," he said. "The players haven't said anything. I suppose it's up to the review committee."
CANBERRA 38 (J Monaghan 2 G Turner T Thurling D Campese A Purtell B Goodwin tries T Carney 5 goals) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 10 (B Champion D Widders tries I Luke goal) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: G Badger. Crowd: 11,115.
By Steve Mascord in Canberra | May 19, 2008 09:00pm
STRUGGLING South Sydney face a fresh hurdle this morning after their dismal loss to Canberra last night with the Raiders foreshadowing complaints against Roy Asotasi and David Kidwell for chicken-wing tackles.
Despite spending most of the weekend in the national capital preparing for their Monday Night Football clash with the Green Machine, Souths conceded more points than they have for two years in an awful 38-10 belting at Canberra Stadium.
"It seems like we go out there and we just don't want to win," said captain Asotasi.
But just when it seemed things couldn't get any worse for the beleaguered bunnies, Raiders chief executive Don Furner said he expected the club to fire in complaints over "ripper"-style tackles by prop Asotasi and second-rower Kidwell on Dane Tilse and Glen Turner.
Five-eighth Dean Widders could also be in trouble for a head slam on Raiders captain Alan Tongue.
Related Links
* Uneasy: Campese on tightrope as Barrett ponders
* Dally M points: Canberra stalwart cleans up
* Gallery: Scenes of Rabbitoh woe in Canberra
"The replay clearly showed his (Turner's) arm was being ripped," Furner said.
"We only spilt the ball once in the first half and that was when that was happening to GT's arm.
"It also happened to Dane Tilse. I am sure Neil Henry will look at it and what I said during the game that we would probably send in a complaint."
With owner Russell Crowe watching on a rare visit to the national capital, the Rabbitohs had the worst of starts when Shannon Hegarty and Nathan Merritt failed to clean up Todd Carney's kick and Joel Monaghan scored in the first minute.
"It puts a dull thought in their minds, after 45 seconds and we get a try," said Carney. "Then we got a 40-20 as well."
The Rabbitohs hit back through centre Beau Champion in the 13th minute but from then on it was all lime green, Souths only adding to their four points with Widders' try in the final 60 seconds.
Shortly after having his arm wrenched in a tackle, Turner threw a dummy and went straight over the top of Manase Manuokafoa for a try. Terry Campese's pass put replacement Trevor Thurling over for a soft try and then the off-contract Campese got a spectacular try of his own after chasing Tongue's kick in mid-field.
The second half, which started with Canberra already holding a 24-4 lead, was largely a non-event.
Carney and Bronx Goodwin combined for Monaghan to score, Adrian Purtell chased a kick into the in-goal for his try and then Goodwin beat some threadbare defence from an almost-standing start.
"Canberra came out and wanted to win that game," lamented Asotasi. "They wanted it more than us.
"Our starts to both halves, there was no intensity there . . . "
Coach Jason Taylor added: "The start didn't help and we worked hard to get back into the game after that but in the end we just had to make too many tackles.
"They scored a lot of tries off kicks . . . we weren't as bad defensively as we've been a few times this year, to be honest.
"We've done a lot of talking . . . we've just got to look at what we're doing and go again. We play the Melbourne Storm next week so it doesn't get any easier."
Widders was penalised for slamming hooker Tongue's head against the ground but referee Gavin Badger did not report the incident. "It was a penalty but I don't think there was any malice in it," said Tongue.
Raiders coach Neil Henry said he had not had a good look at the "chicken wing" incidents. "I saw a replay there," he said. "The players haven't said anything. I suppose it's up to the review committee."
CANBERRA 38 (J Monaghan 2 G Turner T Thurling D Campese A Purtell B Goodwin tries T Carney 5 goals) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 10 (B Champion D Widders tries I Luke goal) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: G Badger. Crowd: 11,115.