South Sydney Rabbitohs made the early running against the Sydney Roosters, taking a 4-0 lead after six minutes in Jai Arrow’s 100th game for the club at Allianz Stadium.
The Roosters had an early decision overturned after captain’s challenge, with the bunker ruling that Egan Butcher had not knocked on. Brandon Smith was instead penalised for stripping the ball, drawing boos from the South Sydney-dominated crowd at the Roosters’ home ground.
Souths soon turned pressure into points. A six-again call for an offside infringement gave them field position before David Fifita powered over from dummy-half on the right edge.
Latrell Mitchell, returning to the starting side after a lengthy injury absence, could not add the conversion, sending his attempt wide from near the touchline.
The match is being played in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 40,000, with Arrow leading the Rabbitohs out before being replaced after the opening whistle to register his milestone appearance.
South Sydney are also marking the 150th NRL games of Fifita and fellow forward Keaon Koloamatangi, while the Roosters have rested several leading players ahead of the finals.
