IT WAS always going to be a deeply emotional night as MND sufferer Jai Arrow bright up 100 games for South Sydney under special dispensation from the NRL.
A sold out Allianz Stadium welcomed Arrow onto the field to the accompaniment of “Stand By Me” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in a derby that mean nothing from a finals perspective and from which Sydney Roosters rested nine players.
And sure enough, there were rivers of tears from the sidelines, the stands and no doubt loungerooms in different parts of the world as he led the Rabbitohs out before being interchanged by Cody Walker before the kick-off.
But there was another emotion which emerged unexpectedly in the first half of a 50-20 Souths win – anger.
Sydney Roosters firebrand Spencer Lenui faced off with Keaon Kaloamatangi after a couple of heavy hits, apparently throwing insults and goading the Australia international at the play-the-ball.
Leniu was in possession but dropped the ball as he shaped up to Kaloamatangi, earning the bunnies a penalty. The Samoan later played up to the crowd as he appeared on the big screen and was roundly booed.
Perhaps it wasn’t so surprising considering the teams involved. There was a melee during the final seven minutes, too.
South Sydney, also heading to the finals but fielding a much stronger side, led 20-4 at halftime and when the tricolours crossed in the 50th and 52nd minutes, quickly righted the ship.
Adam Elliott was even awarded a penalty try as Souths opened up a 22-point lead.
SOUTH SYDNEY 50 (Graham 2 Fifita Sullivan Johnston Aitken Walker Elliot Mitchell Smith tries Mitchell 5 goals) bt SYDNEY ROOSTERS 20Â (Bassingthwaighte 2 Tupou Butcher tries Rodwell, Ramsay goals) at Allianz Stadium.
Teams:
SOUTHS: Jye Gray; Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham; Jye Arrow, Jayden Sullivan; Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith, Keaon Kaloamatangi, David Fifita, Adam Elliott, Cameron Murray (c). Res: Cody Walker, Matt Dufty, Lachlan Hubner, Sean Keppie, Jamie Humphreys, Eiuan Aitken, Latrell Siegwalt.
ROOSTERS: Cody Ramsay; Daniel Tupou, Fetalaiga Pauga, Tommy Talau, Rex Bassingthwaighte; Reece Foley, Toby Rodwell; Spencer Leniu, Benaiah Ielu, Taylor Losalu, Salesi Foketi, Egan Butcher, Connor Watson (c). Res: Tom Rodwell, De La Salle Va’a, Aston Warwick, Jake Elliott, Hayden Barton, Lui Lee.
Referee: Adam Gee.
