Poms in Oz: Sam Burgess sits out as brother Luke defeats Eels
Luke Burgess started for South Sydney Rabbitohs as they defeated bottom of the league Parramatta 24-6.
Burgess began the game as starting prop, while brother Sam sat the game out after sustaining a knee injury against the Bulldogs two weeks ago.
The game was memorable for the injury picked up by Greg Inglis, which could see the Queensland centre miss the third and deciding State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium. However Inglis stayed on the field with an injured elbow after sustaining ligament damage.
It will also be remembered for the 68th minute tackle by Adam Reynolds on Chris Sandow. Sandow intercepted Inglis’ pass on the Eels line before sprinting 85 metres.
However Reynolds quickly caught up on the scrum half, and forced him into touch metres from the Rabbitohs’ try line.
Injury to Billy Slater meant Gareth Widdop moved from five eighth to fullback in Melbourne’s 26-22 win over the Manly Sea Eagles.
Cameron Smith also took over the kicking duties, meaning Widdop was not on the score sheet for the first time since May.
Todd Lowie and Smith scored early tries for the Storm, but trailed at half time thanks to three quick tries late in the half from Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans, Brett Stewart and Jorge Taufua.
However Melbourne struck first after the break through Bryan Norrie and Matthew Duffie which was enough to seal the game for Melbourne.
Smith added an extra penalty goal, while a Dean Whare try for the Sea Eagles on the hooter was merely consolation.
Chris Heighington stated at loose forward in a Wests Tigers side that was marred with sadness prior to the match.
Robbie Farah’s mother passed away earlier in the day, leaving Benji Marshall to captain the side against Sydney Roosters which lost 42-28.
The Tigers couldn’t gain any composure until late in the game despite an early Matt Utai try, by which time the Roosters had built up a heavy lead.
Sydney were 30-4 ahead before the Tigers struck back, but despite a strong fight back to score 24 points in the second half, it wasn’t enough.
Jack Reed was apart of a scoreless Brisbane Broncos side as they lost to North Queensland Cowboys 12-0.
Defence from both sides was on top form, as the game went into the half time break scoreless.
It took North Queensland over an hour to post the first points, with Gavin Cooper crossing before Kane Linnett sealed the win for the Cowboys.
The Broncos couldn’t capitalise on the Cowboys being down to 12-men after Ashton Sims was sin binned for a high tackle in the 18th minute.
But Johnathan Thurston was on hand to influence the Cowboys to a hard earned win.
Josh Morris and Josh Reynolds scored two tries apiece as James Graham’s Canterbury side defeated St George Illawarra 28-20.
Reynolds completed his double on the stroke of half time, while Morris’ second in the 43rd minute completed the scoring for the Bulldogs.
Kristan Inu continued his fine form for the Bulldogs with a try in the 17th minute, but the Dragons were just out of reach despite scoring three consecutive tries within a 15 minute period.
However the Bulldogs held off the Dragons’ momentum to keep hold of the win.