South Sydney Rabbitohs are into their first Grand Final in over 40 years, and are now just 80 minutes away from their first premiership since 1971, after eliminating defending champions Sydney Roosters in a thrilling play-off encounter.
The 32-22 victory means that Sam Burgess is just 80 minutes away from signing off in Rugby League with a Grand Final victory, before returning to England to take up a contract with Bath RU.
Souths were trailing 12-0 early on, but 32 unanswered points in a dominant hour of Rugby League put Michael Maguire’s men in complete control, before two late tries – including one from the retiring Anthony Minichiello – acted as sheer consolation for the Roosters.
A first Grand Final since 1971 now awaits, and after another crushing performance against their bitter rivals, only Penrith or Canterbury can stand in the way of the Burgess brothers finally claiming silverware Down Under.
It would be the first premiership for Souths in over 40 years, with the most recent of their 20 successes coming all the way back in 1971.
That semi-final takes place on Saturday, with a potentially mouthwatering tussle between the Burgess boys and Canterbury’s James Graham, should the Bulldogs beat the Panthers.
