The Polynesian-laden Souths Rabbitohs team have finally broken their ten game losing stretching back to the 2007 NRL season with a 28-24 win over the North Queenland Cowboys.
Cheered on by the club’s Hollywood actor co-owner Russell Crowe, the Rabbitohs bounced back from a horror week in the news where Kiwi international David Kidwell was stripped of the co-captaincy for breaching an alcohol ban and four players were dumped from the team, to score their first win of the season.
Captain Roy Asotasi was outstanding for the Rabbitohs while Kidwell made amends with a workhorse effort making 26 tackles. Nigel Vagana also slotted back into the team after a personal sabbatical to score a crucial try.
It was equally good news for the New Zealand Warriors as they got back to winning ways with a 14-6 win over the Raiders at a rain-soaked Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Sunday.
Less than 8,000 braved the wet conditions but were rewarded as the Warriors defence held out the error-ridden Raiders. Centre Brent Tate scored for the Warriors as the younger players stepped up in the absence of eight regulars including Ruben Wiki and Steve Price. Michael Witt’s penalty goals made up the difference.
The Warriors have a bye with the Kangaroos and Kiwis playing this Friday, but should have Wiki, Jerome Ropati, and Sonny Fai fit for their next game against Penrith.
In other results from Round 8, the Titans has their unbeaten streak this season ended against the Knights while the Eels got back to winning ways, as did the Broncos.
NRL 2008 Round 8 Results
Knights 13-12 Titans, EnergyAustralia Stadium
Panthers 18-26 Eels, Credit Union Australia Stadium
Wests Tigers 22-34 Broncos, ANZ Stadium
Rabbitohs 28-24 Cowboys, ANZ Stadium
Warriors 14-6 Raiders, Mt Smart Stadium
NRL standings – at May 5
| TEAM | P | W | D | L | B | F | A | Diff | Pts |
| 1 Broncos | 8 | 6 | - | 2 | - | 236 | 144 | +92 | 12 |
| 2 Storm | 7 | 5 | - | 2 | 1 | 143 | 83 | +60 | 12 |
| 3 Titans | 8 | 6 | - | 2 | - | 200 | 145 | +55 | 12 |
| 4 Sea Eagles | 7 | 4 | - | 3 | 1 | 148 | 101 | +47 | 10 |
| 5 Roosters | 7 | 4 | - | 3 | 1 | 152 | 130 | +42 | 10 |
| 6 Knights | 7 | 4 | - | 3 | 1 | 155 | 142 | +13 | 10 |
| 7 Sharks | 7 | 4 | - | 3 | 1 | 103 | 111 | -8 | 10 |
| 8 Tigers | 8 | 4 | - | 4 | - | 170 | 178 | -8 | 8 |
| 9 Bulldogs | 7 | 3 | - | 4 | 1 | 157 | 176 | -19 | 8 |
| 10 Eels | 7 | 3 | - | 4 | 1 | 144 | 177 | -33 | 8 |
| 11 Raiders | 7 | 3 | - | 4 | 1 | 119 | 153 | -34 | 8 |
| 12 Panthers | 7 | 3 | - | 4 | 1 | 135 | 172 | -37 | 8 |
| 13 Warriors | 8 | 4 | - | 4 | - | 174 | 226 | -52 | 8 |
| 14 Dragons | 7 | 2 | - | 5 | 1 | 136 | 131 | +5 | 6 |
| 15 Cowboys | 8 | 3 | - | 5 | - | 170 | 192 | -22 | 6 |
| 16 Rabbitohs | 8 | 1 | - | 7 | - | 122 | 203 | -81 | 2 |
