The Rabbitohs’ Matt King celebrates the match- and tournament-winning try against the Sharks at Eden Park yesterday. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The Rabbitohs’ Matt King celebrates the match- and tournament-winning try against the Sharks at Eden Park yesterday. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The capricious nature of the nines format means the question is inevitable - what role does luck play in determining the outcome?
Yesterday, as South Sydney claimed the second annual Auckland Nines, there was nothing fortuitous about the end result.
Like last year, when the Cowboys claimed the inaugural event, few knew quite what to expect from the tournament. Equally, few would have been surprised by the Rabbitohs' triumph. The reigning NRL premiers were the best team all tournament. The Rabbitohs - along with the Sharks, the vanquished side in last night's thrilling final - were one of only two teams to progress from pool play without tasting defeat.
Heading into the showpiece match, Souths had spent the second day racking up 91 points and conceding 17, making rather light work of both the Knights (30-6) in the quarter-final and the Eels (37-6) in the semifinal.
And although the decider was a far tighter affair, the first Nines match to require extra time, the Rabbitohs' undoubted quality soon shone through.
Souths spent almost the entirety of the extra eight minutes camped on the Sharks' line. Their breakthrough finally arrived through Matt King, who had returned from retirement especially for the tournament, finishing off an Issac Luke-inspired move to spark scenes of jubilation in one corner of Eden Park.
In addition to the flair fitting the format, the Rabbitohs excelled at more orthodox play that wouldn't have been out of place in the 13-man game. The additional time needed to decide a winner provided a clear demonstration of their all-round class.
Adam Reynolds' 40/20 set the tone, allowing Souths the chance to apply consistent pressure through repeat sets. The Sharks held strong for longer than the Rabbitohs would have liked, but could survive only so many waves of expansive attack.
"It seemed like we had all the ball but credit to the Sharks - their defence was unbreakable at times," Reynolds said. "We camped down at their end for a little bit there and the smarts of Issac got us across."
Image 1 of 14: Rugby League fans during the NRL Auckland Nines played at Eden Park. Photo / Dean Purcell.
While doubts will be raised over the value of the victory when looking at the bigger picture - the Cowboys last year finished fifth following their triumph - there's no doubting a punishing preseason is always more enjoyable when it is paired with a trophy and a A$370,000 ($397,000) winner's cheque.
And that trophy would have been especially pleasing for one Rabbitoh, in particular. Kiwis hooker Issac Luke, who missed last year's grand final through suspension, captained Souths to their win and was afforded the opportunity to lift some silverware of his own after watching his teammates do so four months ago.
"We spoke about that before the game," Reynolds said. "It was an opportunity for him to lift a trophy. He was a big part of us winning the grand final last year, and all credit to him. He's worked really hard in the off season and he's in the right frame of mind. It was pleasing seeing him lift it at the end there."
The Rabbitohs, as defending champions, would have already been among the favourites for the NRL title before this weekend but, shorn of Greg Inglis and having lost Sam Burgess to rugby, they showed this weekend their favouritism is more than deserved.
