The Sea Eagles have snapped a seven-game losing streak against the Rabbitohs with a historic 36-24 win in Las Vegas thanks to a scintillating second half.
It was a sensational night for Manly’s high-profile recruit Luke Brooks who had a hand in everything before scoring his side’s final try.
The only sour note for coach Anthony Seibold was a late injury to speedster Jason Saab who appeared to pull his hamstring in the dying minutes.
The first 40 minutes of the opening game of the NRL season lived up to its billing with a ferocious start that felt like an Origin.
It was journeyman Rabbitohs centre Richard Kennar who scored the first NRL try on American soil after crossing out wide in the seventh minute.
Manly hit back through bustling backrower Haumole Olakau’atu crashing over before 28-year-old Souths winger Jacob Gagai scored on his NRL debut.
But Manly led 12-10 at the break after Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell threw an intercept for Jason Saab to race away and score on the stroke of halftime.
Mitchell quickly shook off when he barged over with a strong run on the fifth tackle in the 44th minute and moments later he set up Alex Johnston to make it a 20-12 lead.
However, it was all the Sea Eagles from there who piled on three tries between the 50th and 60th minutes through Lachlan Croker, Ben Trbojevic and Reuben Garrick before Brooks put the icing on the cake.
Life as a Sea Eagle got off to a winning start for Luke Brooks and Manly fans will be eager to see just how good their new recruit can be this season, having been one of the NRL’s most maligned players during his time at the Tigers, Brooks was seeking a fresh start and was recruited by Anthony Seibold.
The 29-year-old, on debut for his new club on the biggest stage in Las Vegas, was impressive, partnering with Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.
But in the second half, he couldn’t be denied, bursting through South Sydney’s defensive line with only minutes left on the clock.
The Rabbitohs were poor defensively in the second half, but Latrell Mitchell was on fire in a masterclass in attack for the Rabbitohs in an ominous warning for his year ahead.
Apart from one intercept pass and some poor goal-kicking, Mitchell hardly put a foot wrong with 87 run metres, eight tackle busts, two offloads, a linebreak, two linebreak assists, two try assists and a stunning solo try.
Mitchell moments after his try set up Alex Johnston with some silky hands to show the many facets of his game.
In the other game being played in Vegas, the Roosters are currently leading the Broncos 14-4.
Source: foxsports.com.au
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