Brisbane spring early-season surprise as clunky Souths fail to fire

South Sydney began their post-Adam Reynolds era with a forgettable performance and deserved defeat. Brisbane began their Adam Reynolds era without Reynolds but were still too good for a Rabbitohs outfit that looked a shadow of the 2021 grand final side.

Payne Haas, Selwyn Cobbo and Pat Carrigan were hugely influential for the Broncos in their 11-4 victory, while new signing Kurt Capewell was the accidental hero when he smashed over a field goal after the set play, aimed at Jamayne Isaako, broke down.

It was a deserved result for the home side, who played with energy, passion and scrambled with defensive vigour all night. Reynolds missed what would have been his Broncos debut with COVID-19 but Albert Kelly was good in his place and looks a strong candidate to play outside the classy playmaker next week.

But the Rabbitohs were a mess for Jason Demetriou’s head coaching debut. They lacked direction around young halfback Lachlan Ilias, who tried all night but was indecisive at times and showed some obvious nerves, and produced an error-ridden and ill-disciplined 80 minutes.

They must find a way to compensate for the lack of Reynolds’ long kicking game and the return of Latrell Mitchell can’t come quickly enough if they are going to be a top-four side again in 2022.

None of that should detract from what Brisbane produced minus their star signing and with key middle Thomas Flegler still suspended. Cobbo had a night out and announced himself as a serious NRL player as he finds a home on the Broncos wing.

Brisbane’s big men were tremendous in the opening sets as Haas (164m) and Carrigan (184m) tore into the defence to give their outside men every chance of launching a meaningful attack. That period set up their entire performance.

But it was Souths who found themselves the beneficiaries of some Broncos mistakes, with fullback Alex Johnston bolting clear before the Rabbitohs had a trio of repeat sets, all going to waste with a rushed play-the-ball and a turnover on the Broncos line.

Broncos winger Corey Oates scores despite desperate last-ditch defence by Souths’ Lachlan Ilias.Credit:Getty

Brisbane were buzzing with energy and Cobbo was causing problems. He had the perfect chance to position Albert Kelly for the first try but he bungled the regulation two-on-one to let Souths off the hook.

And he almost scored a few minutes later off the back of a fizzing Kelly long ball, only for his foot to graze the turf before he could plant the ball in the corner. Souths were on the ropes, compounded by Junior Tatola being placed on report for a high shot on Jake Turpin.

Souths defaulted to their pet left edge but, in what has become an uncomfortable narrative for the Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, Cody Walker had his pocket picked by an opposing player, with Kelly grabbing the intercept to race 80m to score and give his side a 6-0 lead.

The left-hand attack was too lateral for Souths but they caught Brisbane short at last when Josh Mansour burrowed over in the corner to make it 6-4 short of half-time. Souths had ample chances to extend that advantage but their attack ranged from clunky to dysfunctional and Brisbane held firm.

Souths were their worst enemy upon resumption. Johnston didn’t get his foot to the play-the-ball, the second time the Rabbitohs had erred in that fundamental of the game, and Corey Oates dived over a few tackles later for his 99th career try and a 10-4 Brisbane lead.

Capewell had the final say with an opportunistic field goal and he looks to be worth his weight in gold at Red Hill.

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