South Sydney have ended the Sydney Roosters’ NRL title defence to surge into their first grand final in 43 years with a stirring comeback win over their century-old rivals.
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Finals bunnies no more, Souths will take on either Penrith or Canterbury in Sunday week’s premiership decider after recovering from an early 12-point deficit to power to a 32-22 victory at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
The thumping win atoned for painful preliminary finals losses Canterbury and Manly in 2012 and 2013 and denied the Roosters a shot at becoming the first team since Brisbane in 1992-93 to secure back-to-back titles in a united competition.
The Rabbitohs’ five-tries-to-two triumph also ended the stellar NRL careers of the Roosters’ record-setting captain Anthony Minichiello and Sonny Bill Williams.
But the victory gives veteran winger Lote Tuqiri and rugby-bound forward enforcers Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o a dream opportunity of farewelling the code with a premiership.
After being stripped of two titles for Melbourne’s salary-cap rorting, Greg Inglis is also just 80 minutes away from earning his ‘‘first’’ premiership ring after the champion fullback’s second-half double clinched Souths’ win in front of 52,592 fans.
Thirteen years after their re-entry to the competition following a lengthy and emotional court battle with the league, Souths will be chasing a record 21st title - but first since 1971.
They may have to chase grand final glory without Issac Luke, though, after the livewire hooker was placed on report for a first-half dangerous tackle on Williams.
The New Zealand Test star has 55 carry-over points from his last appearance at the judiciary and will be sweating on the match review panel charge sheet on Monday.
