Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Rats 37 Emus 22
You could see how Penrith could upset Southerns last week: they're a pugnacious lot who love taking the ball to the line. On the other hand their work at the breakdown was ordinary and they blew a lot of possession with bad handling. Those elements must have been better last week.
The Rats were just OK and are missing the likes of Sheehan who is suspended and Haig Sare (out for the season). They let in too many cheap tries and that won't help them to get to the finals.
Fullback Pat McCabe had a blinder including two speedy runs up the middle of the park and, running at top pace, hitting winger Rapana right on the money with 20 metre passes both times for tries.
He and the backrow of Lipman (until he went off injured at half-time), Robinson and Richardson, were the difference.
An honourable mention should go to youngster Hamish Angus playing flyhalf in the absence of Sheehan (yeah, Sheeno was playing 10 before he opened his trap once too often). He is a deft player who has an accurate long pass both ways. Unfortunately he will most likely be missing too next week as it looks like he has stuffed his ankle.
You could see how Penrith could upset Southerns last week: they're a pugnacious lot who love taking the ball to the line. On the other hand their work at the breakdown was ordinary and they blew a lot of possession with bad handling. Those elements must have been better last week.
The Rats were just OK and are missing the likes of Sheehan who is suspended and Haig Sare (out for the season). They let in too many cheap tries and that won't help them to get to the finals.
Fullback Pat McCabe had a blinder including two speedy runs up the middle of the park and, running at top pace, hitting winger Rapana right on the money with 20 metre passes both times for tries.
He and the backrow of Lipman (until he went off injured at half-time), Robinson and Richardson, were the difference.
An honourable mention should go to youngster Hamish Angus playing flyhalf in the absence of Sheehan (yeah, Sheeno was playing 10 before he opened his trap once too often). He is a deft player who has an accurate long pass both ways. Unfortunately he will most likely be missing too next week as it looks like he has stuffed his ankle.
