Round 16, 2020: Souths 38 Parramatta 0

NRL.com

Eels v Rabbitohs: Niukore suspended; Johnston out

Upstaged the previous week by the Dragons, Parramatta got their premiership bid back on track with last week's 14-0 shutout of Melbourne.

But was it sufficiently convincing considering the number of stars absent for the Storm?

Defensively the Eels kept their line intact, but they struggled to find their offensive mojo and Mitch Moses didn't have a good night with his kicking in general play.

Parra have to raise the bar on Thursday night against an in-form Rabbitohs side coming off last week's home demolition of Manly.

The Rundown
Team news
Eels: Andrew Davey replaces the suspended Marata Niukore on the bench.

Rabbitohs: Centre Dane Gagai (hamstring) returns in place of Steven Marsters but Alex Johnston (head knock) is out with Corey Allan on the wing. Liam Knight returns on the bench in place of Kurt Dillon.

Key match-up
Mitch Moses v Adam Reynolds. Moses will be keen to bounce back to his best after an up-and-down performance last week. He needs to get his kicking and passing game right and pick his moments when to run. Reynolds has one of the best kicking games in the business and will be relishing the challenge against Moses.

Stat Attack
The Eels claimed bragging rights in their only meeting with the Bunnies last year, turning a 14-2 half-time lead into a 26-14 victory in their round 12 clash. Props Tevita Tatola and Tom Burgess were the only try-scorers for the Rabbitohs, while Blake Ferguson, Clint Gutherson, Maika Sivo and Josh Hoffman scored Parra's tries. Ferguson is in the midst of the longest try-scoring drought of his career and will be hoping for a change of luck on Thursday night at Bankwest Stadium.

NRL.com

Red-hot Rabbitohs stun Eels but lose Latrell

A hamstring injury that could sideline Latrell Mitchell for up to six weeks took some of the gloss of another supreme South Sydney display, this time a 38-0 win over the Eels.

Mitchell's injury was the talking point to come out of a night in which South Sydney stamped their premiership credentials – and cast huge doubt on those of their opponents.

Mitchell copped some friendly fire with teammate Jaxson Paulo landing on him in a tackle and forcing his left leg back, straining the hamstring.

Early reports indicated a grade three strain, one that could keep him out until the finals.

Prior to the injury, the former Rooster was absolutely immense with a try assist and some powerful runs.

Rabbitohs halves Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker toyed with their opponents while their patched-up forward pack easily outpointing the Eels big men.

The Eels' edge defence was a rabble, repeatedly conceding breaks and half breaks, with the right-side combination of Waqa Blake and Blake Ferguson particularly vulnerable.

As has been a trend in recent weeks the team's execution in its rare attacking chances was clunky and failed to threaten the Rabbitohs line.

They will also await news on five-eighth Dylan Brown, who injured his ankle in the first half before succumbing to the injury in the second half.

The Eels started the match much as they did the previous week against the Storm, pushing unnecessary passes, while Souths also started the match the way they did the previous week against Manly – absolutely on fire.

A forced pass from Mitch Moses was dropped by Ryan Matterson to give Souths their first chance and a brilliant Mitchell catch-and-pass sent Corey Allan over untouched in the sixth minute.

A forced Moses offload dropped by Nathan Brown handed Souths their next chance and a lovely Steven Marsters flick pass put Jaxson Paulo over for his maiden NRL try in the 18th.

Cody Walker burst onto a perfect Reynolds short ball to streak 30 to score in the 30th minute and Souths went the length off the next set as Walker ran over the top of Waqa Blake and into space to start a movement eventually finished by a Reynolds grubber for Jaydn Su'A to score.

Mitchell copped a horror bounce from a bomb late in the half that he had to retrieve from near his own dead ball line and produced one of the best kick returns of the season. The Eels were lucky to hold on to only be down by 22 at half time.

Dylan Brown looked to have finally got the blue and golds on the board in the 50th minute but an impressive solo try was overturned due to Clint Gutherson getting in the way of the defensive line.

On the same play, Paulo landed on Mitchell's leg as the pair attempted to prevent the try, causing the hamstring injury.

Instead, it was Souths who went further ahead, with Corey Allan slotting in at fullback and Cam Murray (now at left centre) throwing a perfect catch-and-pass for Campbell Graham to cross on the left win and a 28-0 lead.

Reynolds supported on a play he started to score in the 66th minute and Graham ran his second try through the Eels' ragged right side in the 71st.

The result is easily Parramatta's biggest ever loss at Bankwest, beating the 14-point margin against the Roosters in round six. It also draws Souths level – at least for now – with the fourth-placed Roosters on 20 competition points.