​Rabbitohs come from behind to defeat spirited Panthers

After trailing 12-0, South Sydney have secured a top eight finish by defeating Penrith 20-16 at ANZ Stadium in front of 13,391 fans.

Coming into the match on 26-points, a win would guarantee the Rabbitohs had an opportunity to defend their premiership crown, but the Panthers ensured the reigning champions didn't have it all their own way.

Clinging to a faint finals hope, the Panthers started strongly by scoring the opening two tries through James Segeyaro (16th minute) and Bryce Cartwright (21st minute) to take the visitors out to a 12-0 lead.

Shortly after, the Rabbitohs hit back with a pair of tries of their own, with John Sutton (25th minute) crashing over from close range, before Alex Johnston (29th minute) capitalised on a series of misguided offloads by the Panthers inside their own half.

With the scores tied at 12-all at halftime, both sides were well positioned to claim victory, but ultimately the class of Adam Reynolds' kicking game gave the Rabbitohs the lead.

Unable to break the Panthers defence early in the second half, South Sydney took the lead courtesy of a penalty goal from close range.

For the remainder of the match, both sides threatened to post further points but strong defence ensured the match went down to the wire.

With 15 minutes remaining Dylan Walker crossed for the decisive try following on from good lead-up work by Glenn Stewart and Greg Inglis. Once again Adam Reynolds maintained his perfect kicking record, as the home side took a 20-12 lead into the closing stages of the match.

Refusing to give up, Jamie Soward gave the Panthers a chance to pull off an unlikely win by producing a phenomenal chip kick finished off by Lewis Brown (73rd minute).

Despite late pressure applied by the Panthers, the Rabbitohs managed to hold on to record a hard-fought win.

For the Rabbitohs, Kyle Turner may be looking at a stint on the sidelines after being escorted from the field in his first game back from injury.

For the Panthers, Leilani Latu performed strongly in his NRL debut, while Robert Jennings looks set to join the ever-growing Penrith injury list after tearing his hamstrings just before halftime.

Next week, the Rabbitohs travel to Brookvale Oval on Friday night to tackle the resurgent Sea Eagles, while the Panthers will take on Parramatta in Darwin on Saturday night.

Match Details

South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 16
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Crowd: 13391
Halftime Score: South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 Penrith Panthers 12

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (20)
Tries: John Sutton, Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (1/1)

PENRITH PANTHERS (16)
Tries: James Segeyaro, Bryce Cartwright, Lewis Brown
Conversions: Jamie Soward (2/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Adam Reynolds
2 points - George Burgess
1 point - Leilani Latu

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Round 21 Sunday Afternoon Football between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium.

South Sydney have made one change from the side that annihilated Newcastle last Saturday; Aaron Gray comes onto the win in jersey #19 in place of Joel Reddy.

Penrith have handed a debut to 22-year-old front rower Leilani Latu who replaces former Rabbitoh Apisai Koroisau on the bench. Latu, who formerly had a stint at the Bulldogs was apart of the Penrith side that won the NSW Cup last season.

After sustaining a neck injury in the Indigenous All Stars match in February, Kyle Turner will play his first game of the season after making a successful return in NSW Cup last week.

Contrary to reports throughout the week, Sam McKendry will start at prop for the Panthers after Nigel Plum suffered concussion last week.

With Peter Wallace out for the season, Isaac John will have another chance to impress in first grade. Jamie Soward will shift to halfback in Wallace's absence.

Having missed the Round 17 fixture at Pepper Stadium, Tim Grant will take on his former side for the first time since leaving the Panthers.

Elijah Taylor will captain Penrith for the first time in his NRL career. The New Zealand international previously captained the Warriors to their inaugural Under 20's Premiership, ironically against South Sydney in 2010 in a side which featured Adam Reynolds and Josh Mansour.

George Burgess takes the first hit-up of the afternoon.

1: Adam Reynolds gets a kick down to Robert Jennings who takes the ball close to his own line.

3: Reynolds gets a high bomb away; Robert Jennings can't keep hold of the ball and the Rabbitohs will get a scrum 10 metres out from the Panthers line.

3: Tim Grant goes close, pulled down a metre short.

4: Adam Reynolds knocks on 10 metres out; Isaah Yeo latches onto the loose ball, but is taken 20 metres out.

5: Waqa Blake makes a strong run on the last tackle, before the Panthers get a repeat set.

6: Robert Jennings can't get the ball over the line and makes an error after being met by three Rabbitoh defenders.

6: Chris McQueen off receiving attention for concussion, Dylan Walker also down.

7: Adam Reynolds torpedoes the ball over the dead ball line.

7: Josh Mansour draws a penalty on the 30 metre line.

8: Soward puts a kick in goal, but Alex Johnston is able to knock the ball dead.

8: Dylan Walker appears to be fine.

10: Soward delivers a bullet pass for Mansour, but the Penrith winger can't hold on. On the next tackle, Alex Johnston earns a penalty for South Sydney.

11: Reynolds puts a cross field kick in for Johnston, but the ball travels over the sideline giving the Panthers a 20 metre re-start.

12: Mansour makes an error early in the tackle count. Souths with a chance to post first points from 30 metres out.

13: Tim Grant drops the ball, allowing Reagan Campbell-Gillard to give back possession to Penrith.

14: Chris Grevsmuhl makes a nice bust over halfway.

14: Luke Keary kicks out on the full; Penrith to start a set inside the South Sydney half.

15: This has been a good game so far, a few errors but both sides are playing well.

15: Issac John almost gets to the line, but Greg Inglis and John Sutton hold him up.

16: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by James Segeyaro. Kick to come.
They've started strongly and have been rewarded with first points!

17: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
Soward has no problem adding the extras.

17: McQueen set to re-enter the game after passing the concussion test.

19: Soward puts a loft high ball up in the air, but Aaron Gray is able to handle it easily.

20: Greg Inglis loses possession after a strong tackle by Isaac John.

20: With his first run of the afternoon, Jeremy Latimore draws a penalty for Penrith.

20: Bryce Cartwright on for the Panthers.

21: Elijah Taylor taken in a try-saving tackle by Glenn Stewart.

21: Bryce Cartwright in claiming a try. The video referee will adjudicate, but it appears to be a try.

21: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Bryce Cartwright. Kick to come.
He's only been on the field a matter of minutes, but the Penrith wunderkind scores again!

22: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
The kick is straight between the posts! 12-0 to the underdogs.

23: Penrith dominating possession so far with 62%.

23: Souths get a penalty. Adam Reynolds finds touch 40 metres out.

24: Another penalty for the Rabbitohs.

25: A huge round applause echoes around ANZ Stadium as Kyle Turner comes on for his first game of 2015.

25: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by John Sutton. Kick to come.
The premiership winning captain charges over Will Smith after a no-look pass from Luke Keary.

26: Kyle Turner is wearing a neck brace reminiscent of Brent Tates.

27: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
Reynolds converts and Souths are back in the match.

28: Greg Inglis almost gets into a gap, but the Panthers are able to stop the fullback.

28: We've just seen some absolute madness from Penrith. Three times the Panthers offloaded 10 metres out from their try line.

28: Alex Johnston has been able to cross in the corner after Dylan Walker threw a cut-out pass to his winger.

29: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Alex Johnston. Kick to come.
Despite the efforts of Isaah Yeo, Johnston plants the ball down for another try.

30: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
After a slow start, the Rabbitohs have tied the game up at 12-all.

31: Leilani Latu is on for his Penrith NRL debut.

32: Chris McQueen comes up with an error just over halfway.

33: Robert Jennings is able to stay in field after the Panthers put in a couple of offloads.

33: Isaac John's bomb is well-taken by Alex Johnston.

34: The Fresh Prince of Penrith (Will Smith) is taken by three Rabbitohs.

34: Robert Jennings has been crunched by the Burgess brothers. Play has stopped, the referee has described the tackle as awkward, but no penalty.

34: Robert Jennings being escorted off the field.

34: Isaah Yeo will come back on with Waqa Blake to shift to the wing.

34: Penrith come up with an error on the last tackle.

36: Will Smith bats the ball dead after Adam Reynolds taps the ball in-goal.

36: George Burgess takes the ball up like a rampaging bull.

37: Inglis deemed to knock on as the Rabbitohs attempt a raid down the right hand side.

39: Disappointing set from the Panthers, had an opportunity to put up an attacking kick but opted to kick straight to GI.

40: George Burgess almost score an incredible try after the Rabbitohs elected to run the ball after the siren.

40: Elijah Taylor leads the Panthers out for the second half. If Penrith lose this one it would be very, very difficult for them to make the finals.

40: South Sydney on the field.

40: Inglis kicks off and Latu takes the first hit up.

40: Bryce Cartwight makes a phenomenal run, he links up with Isaac John who is taken 20 metres out.

40: Will Smith has been awarded a penalty after Aaron Gray took him out.

42: Penrith can't get a kick away on the last. Souths to start from 10 metres out.

43: Latu puts a nice hit on George Burgess.

43: Diagnosis on Robert Jennings: Torn Hamstring, more than likely will rule him out for the season. Penrith just can't take a trick with injuries.

44: Bryce Cartwright tackles Aaron Gray back in-goal to earn the Panthers a repeat set. Great work from Soward with a well-timed bomb.

44: Kyle Turner is down injured.

44: Latimore was charging at speed and Turner has landed on his back.

44: Turner is walking off the field. It appears to be concussion, nothing neck related.

44: Great scenes around ANZ Stadium as the crowd applauds Turner as he walks off.

45: Will Smith taken over the sideline by Dylan Walker.

47: Penalty to South Sydney. Reynolds finds touch 40 metres out.

47: John Sutton hit by Segeyaro. Rabbitohs penalty.

48: Souths elect to take the two points on offer to take the lead.

48: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Penalty goal attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
From close to the posts, Reynolds puts the Rabbitohs in front for the first time today.

51: Waqa Blake loses the ball 25 metres out from his goal line.

51: Keary takes on the line from the scrum, but is taken down 10 metres out.

52: George Burgess can't hold onto Issac Luke's pass from dummy half. Tyrone Peachy takes the ball up to put the Panthers on the attack.

53: Waqa Blake is ruled to have tackled Aaron Gray in the air, penalty Souths.

55: Reynolds launches the ball into the air, he manages to get another kick in and the Rabbitohs will get another set after Mansour was forced over the sideline.

56: Inglis loses the ball after good pressure from the Panthers close to their goal line.

57: Soward leads the chase on Inglis as the Panthers trap the Rabbitohs fullback 10 metres out.

58: Will Smith and Josh Mansour make a terrific kick return to get the Panthers up to halfway.

59: Isaac John takes on the line, but Tyrone Peachey can't hold onto the pass.

59: Adam Reynolds may have scored. James Segeyaro had the ball, but the Rabbitohs halfback stripped the ball.

59: The referee has ruled No Try, it appears to be two Souths players in the tackle on Segeyaro.

59: No Try. Penrith will get a penalty for a strip.

59: The Panthers can take a massive step towards an upset if they can score here.

61: Soward puts in a terrific for Will Smith, but Luke keary is able to get to the ball first. Line drop out.

62: Lewis Brown has been carried over the sideline by four Rabbitohs.

62: Bryson Goodwin carts the ball up to the halfway mark.

63: Will Smith does well to take another Reynolds bomb and subsequently draws a penalty.

65: Issac Luke picks up Isaac John's grubber kick. The Rabbitohs have all the moment at the moment.

65: Souths tap and go. They look good things to score here.

66: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Dylan Walker. Kick to come.
Great work from the Rabbitohs to score.

67: Put that try down to Glenn Stewart and Greg Inglis.

68: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
It's an 8-point lead now. That may just be enough for South Sydney.

69: Reynolds puts in yet another torpedo bomb, but Mansour is able to catch.

70: Sika Manu has lost the ball in a strong position for Penrith.

71: Souths get a penalty 40 metres out from the Panthers try line.

72: The Rabbitohs are threatening from 10 metres out.

72: Leilani Latu is able to dive on a Reynolds grubber. On debut, Latu has been outstanding today.

73: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Lewis Brown. Kick to come.
Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.

74: Soward chips for himself, links up with his support players on the left to give the Panthers a chance to win.

75: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward unsuccessful.
Soward is unable to add the extras from the sideline. They'll need a converted try to win.

76: Peachey puts some nice footwork on to put the Panthers inside the Rabbitohs half/

76: SIX MORE TACKLES!

77: The Panthers have knocked on. Waqa Blake can't hold onto an Isaah Yeo offload.

78: The Panthers are still a chance, but they've made it hard for themselves now.

78: Accidental offside. Panthers will start a set from just short of halfway.

78: Last tackle.

79: Aaron Gray takes Soward's bomb in-goal and the Rabbitohs will win.

80: The Panthers have been valiant today, they've played with tremendous spirit. They might not make the finals this year, but in years to come they are set for a terrific future.