In NRL, you have some blockbuster clashes, and last night between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bulldogs, it was no different – as a try to David Stagg three minutes from full-time, sealed a 23-18 win for the Bulldogs, at ANZ Stadium.
Trailing 12-0 at one stage, the Dogs fought their way back, as Souths had a chance to score a late try of their own that would have changed things – only for Dylan Farrell to be pushed into touch near the try-line.
The game marked a bit of history for Souths and the NRL, with the Burgess brothers becoming the first set of 3 to play in the same team, since the Hughes brothers back in 2001.
Despite that though, all three Burgess brothers had their up and down moments – with Sam involved in a bit of a tussle with fellow Englishman, James Graham.
As the end of the game became a bit of a struggle, it was a rather ugly field goal from Krisnan Inu that gave the Bulldogs a 1-point lead.
“It was ugly but it counted,” Inu said of his field goal – his first in the NRL.
“I didn’t think I was going to get a shot away but it went over – lucky for us.
“(It’s the) first one I’ve tried so I’m one from one so far.”
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler was pleased with his new recruit’s performance.
“He was good, wasn’t he?” Hasler said.
“He was pretty composed and I really thought he showed his experience tonight.
“At times there, we needed it and he produced it … that’s what he’s capable of and that’s what you want from a player like Krisnan.”
For Souths coach Michael Maguire, he was disappointed with his side’s ill-discipline during the game.
“We had control in the first 20 minutes and then, unfortunately, we let that slide,” Maguire said.
“We gave away three penalties and, unfortunately, they got a couple of tries off those and the momentum swung.
“We weren’t probably strong enough at that time to make sure we got it back.”