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The Rabbitohs celebrate Luke Keary's try.
IT was relentless, devastating and of such authority South Sydney began chasing records by halftime.
The Rabbitohs 48-6 demolition of a completely outclassed Newcastle at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night — just six days after scoring 42-points against the Sydney Roosters — ended with the most amount of points they have ever scored in their opening two games of a season.
The Bunnies return to the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground against St George-Illawarra next weekend having scored 17 tries and conceded three in just 160-minutes of football.
Aaron Gray of the Rabbitohs scores in the corner.Source:AAP
Without injured duo Adam Reynolds or John Sutton, halfback Luke Keary, in his first game of the year, piloted the Rabbitohs deadly attack which was of such precision, they led 24-0 at the break.
Winger Aaron Gray in one of the most complete games of his short career bagged a treble of tries, Alex Johnston and Bryson Goodwin posted a double with Hymel Hunt and Keary also touching down.
Sam Burgess was brilliant in his first match at ANZ since the 2014 grand final, as he at-times displayed the skills of a playmaker, while also thundering forward for over 130-metres.
Luke Keary of the Rabbitohs makes a break.Source:Getty Images
An obviously pleased Souths coach Michael Maguire paid credit to his side’s mental application and ability to bring their training to game day.
“I’m pleased with how the boys are approaching the game at the moment they’re very focused on what they want to try and do and the boys were able to build a lot of pressure in that first-half.
“The work that the boys in the pre-season with their attack is paying off.
“I thought Luke Keary came in and started where he left off (last year) and Cody (Walker) is growing as a player.
Kyle Turner, Cody Walker and Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs congratulate Bryson Goodwin.Source:Getty Images
“But we all understand that we’ve got a lot in front of us and we move onto a St George team that is going to be very clinical.’’
Knights coach Nathan Brown said the loss was yet another valuable learning curve for his side which boasted “six players that had played one game.’’
“It’s always hard especially when we’re not starting games so well,’’ Brown said.
“And when we don’t start well, we don’t know how to fight either, so it’s going to be a bit of a process.’’
SOUTH SYDNEY 48 (A Gray 3 B Goodwin 2 A Johnston 2 H Hunt L Keary tries B Goodwin 6 goals) bt NEWCASTLE 6 (N Ross try T Hodkinson goal) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, David Munro. Crowd: 13,364.