- Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins beat South Sydney
- Bennett will join the Rabbitohs in 2025
- The Bunnies have been having a tough time this season.
Tevita Pangai Jnr has delivered as only he can to give the Dolphins and his mentor Wayne Bennett a vital 36-28 win over South Sydney.
All the pre-match talk at Kayo Stadium on Thursday night was about how the Rabbitohs had won five games in a row since Bennett signed to return to Redfern in 2025.
The head coach had promised before the match that his focus was solely on the Dolphins and Pangai Jnr, and his teammates, backed Bennett until the end.
Both teams scored six tries but winger Jamayne Isaako scored six goals from as many attempts for the hosts, keeping them in sixth place in forward Kenny Bromwich’s 250th NRL game.
The sour note for the Dolphins came when forward Euan Aitken suffered a suspected torn pectoral muscle in the first half.
Halfbacks Kodi Nikorima and Isaiaya Katoa, along with speedy fullback Trai Fuller, shone but it was Pangai in his third game back in the NRL after a stint in boxing who provided the lift.
Pangai, one of many players who perform better under Bennett, got off to a near-perfect start, displaying intent, power and skill.
His 97 metres from 10 carries in the first 26 minutes (which included two offloads, three missed tackles and a try) set the tone for the home side.
The Dolphins defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their clash on Thursday night.
Wayne Bennett has won over the team he will join again in 2025
The Dolphins led 24-10 early in the second half but the visitors cut the margin to six before Pangai’s offload set up a try for Sean O’Sullivan.
Pangai bombed into his own in-goal with flair and class early in the match and in the next set winger Jack Bostock finished off a sweeping move after a superb cut-in pass from Fuller.
Fuller then interfered with Souths fullback Jye Gray as he attempted to score and The Bunker scored a penalty try to level the game.
Pangai’s brute force then pulverized three defenders to score from close range.
Rabbitohs talisman Cody Walker sent winger Jacob Gagai through with a brilliant pass in the corner.
Gray saved a try with a brave tackle on Bostock before Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth stepped up and powered his way through for an 18-10 half-time lead.
The Rabbitohs have had a torrid 2024, prompting the club to turn to Bennett
Katoa delivered a sublime pass for Nikorima to score shortly after the break. Gray set up Gagai for his second goal of the night before winger Alex Johnston slotted over the bar and the match was underway.
Pangai’s crucial pass put the home side ahead before Fuller raced out to seal the deal, despite Johnston scoring his second and Gagai netting a late hat-trick.