South Sydney have strengthened their NRL finals prospects while leaving Canterbury’s season hanging by a thread with a 22-6 victory at Stadium Australia.
David Fifita powered the Rabbitohs with 144 metres and six tackle busts, opening the scoring from a Cody Walker grubber before Walker helped create Alex Johnston’s try for a 10-0 halftime advantage.
Canterbury had several opportunities in the opening half but repeatedly fell short, while a Bailey Hayward error from the second-half kick-off allowed Tallis Duncan to extend Souths’ lead. Campbell Graham added another try before Enari Tuala finally put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard after an hour.
Canterbury were unable to build momentum, however, and Matt Dufty sealed the result with a late try. The victory lifted South Sydney to sixth, while the Bulldogs now face an increasingly difficult task to reach the top eight with only three rounds remaining.
