Senior rugby league made its return to Griffith on Saturday night as South Sydney showed their clash in a 58-0 win over the Group 20 Invitational side at EW Moore Oval.
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With the warm temperatures for rugby league on Saturday evening, the game was modified to be a 20 minute quarters game to allow for the two extra breaks in what was the first game of rugby league played in Griffith since the 2019 Group 20 grand final.
The Group 20 side were able to match the early pressure from the Rabbitohs before Jacob Gagai was able to make the early breakthrough with a try in the corner in a chance that was created off the back of a 40-20 inside the first five minutes.
Souths looked to be in for their second right at the end of the first quarter when Zane Bijorac made a break down the wing, but the chance went begging when he passed back on his inside rather than going himself.
The Group 20 side continued to soak up the pressure and held off a strong charge, with Peniona Taminisave and Uafu Lavaka able to take Gagai into touch just before the tryline.
The home side's best chance came off the back of a Shannon Bradbrook bomb with Kirtis Fisher and Drew Hopwood putting pressure on the Souths' fullback, but they were able to just recover the ball just before the onrushing attackers.
The Souths side was able to start to find their stride with three quick tries to the Rabbits with Hame Sele, Bijorac and Tautau Moga crossing to give Souths a 22-0 lead at the main break.
The free-flowing play from the Bunnies continued after halftime, with Gagai crossing for his second try of the night before the task got even harder for the Group 20 side when Ben Jeffery was sent off for a high shot.
Souths were able to make the most of the tiring Group 20 side with Peter Mamouzoulous diving over before CJ Mundine went the length of the field after Group 20 again went close to push their lead out to 40 points.
Gagai completed his hat-trick early in the final quarter while some slick passing saw Trent Peoples able to get into space and cross the line.
Souths were able to put the icing on top of the cake as, despite the best efforts of the Group 20 defence to hold him up, Davvy Moale was able to get the ball down to secure the 58-point victory.
The Group 20 boys will now turn their attention to the start of the regular season, which will get underway on May 1.
Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
