NRL: Rabbitohs made to pay by Panthers

David Taylor of the Rabbitohs is tackled during the round 12 NRL match between the Panthers and the Rabbitohs. Photo / Getty Images

South Sydney were made to pay for not playing to the whistle in their 22-10 NRL loss to Penrith at Centrebet Stadium on Monday night.

The Panthers moved to within one win of the top eight with a gutsy win in driving rain, but the Rabbitohs were every chance until the 71st minute, when fullback Lachlan Coote pulled their pants down with a lucky, but intelligent piece of play.

Coote found Masada Iosefa on his inside with a clever ball, but the replacement utility dropped the ball cold.

However unbeknownst to the player himself, and Rabbitohs backrower Chris McQueen who had a chance to clean up, Iosefa had managed to fortuitously drop the ball onto his foot, constituting a kick.

Coote chased through and grounded the ball, while McQueen - expecting to hear the referee's whistle didn't do a thing.

The video ref showed the green light and the Rabbitohs lost any chance of what seemed like a possible comeback after they'd fought hard to cut the margin to just a converted try.

Souths fullback Rhys Wesser would also be ruing a moment midway through the second 40 when he burst through, but chose not to pass to a flying Issac Luke who might have scored under the posts.

Penrith forward Luke Lewis sent NSW State of Origin selectors a strong message in setting up the Panthers' 16-4 halftime lead and also having a hand in the final try.

Lewis was only one NRL match back from injury when the Blues side was picked for game one, and he was subsequently left out.

However, the experienced representative player has stormed into contention for game two.

Lewis was a constant threat for the Panthers on the left-hand side of the field and scored the first try.

James Roberts and Issac Luke scored for Souths but crafty play from Panthers halfback Luke Walsh - who set up tries for Trent Waterhouse and Adrian Purtell towards the end of the first half - was always going to make life difficult for the Bunnies.

Lewis said he's crossing his fingers for an Origin call-up.

"I'd love (to play in Origin II). Playing for your state, there's nothing better," he said.

"I thought the boys who played on Wednesday night - the whole 17 - played great and put in a good performance ... I can't see them changing the team but if I got the opportunity I'd take it with two hands.

Panthers captain and Queensland stalwart Petero Civoniceva said he'd prefer NSW not to pick his club team-mate.

"He is probably a couple of weeks off yet," said Civoniceva, tongue-in-cheek.

"He's an amazing player and he's got those champion qualities that sides need. I thought he was ready after one performance."

Panthers coach Matt Elliott also said Lewis should be included in Stuart's side, and on his team's win over Souths - the departing mentor was happy with the first half but couldn't get too carried away after another poor finish.

Souths coach John Lang said his team's failure to clean up the final try was "unprofessional" and believes the Rabbitohs didn't give themselves a chance.

"That just shows a lack of commitment and I think a lack of professionalism from the guys who were involved in it," he said.

McQueen said his lack of urgency broke Souths' back.

"I was right there and saw it and just thought it was a knock on but one of the first things you're taught is play to the whistle and I should have just done that and kicked the ball out," he lamented.

Souths centre Dylan Farrell will have an x-ray on Tuesday on an ankle injury which saw him exit the match early.

- AAP