Arabic version: رابيتوهز ودولفينز يعززان موقعيهما في سباق النهائيات

According to ABC News, South Sydney have all but secured a place in the NRL top eight after defeating Canterbury 22-6 at Stadium Australia, while the Dolphins beat Manly 22-0 at Brookvale Oval.

The Rabbitohs moved up to sixth with a workmanlike win led by David Fifita, who finished with 144 metres and six tackle busts. Fifita scored from a Cody Walker grubber in the 23rd minute, while Walker also created Alex Johnston’s try after sending Tallis Duncan through a gap. South Sydney led 10-0 at halftime.

Duncan scored soon after the break when Canterbury hooker Bailey Hayward dropped the kick-off. Campbell Graham then extended the lead, before Enari Tuala scored for the Bulldogs on the hour mark. Matt Dufty completed South Sydney’s five-try victory two minutes from fulltime. The Rabbitohs converted only one of five tries.

Canterbury’s finals hopes are all but over. If North Queensland beat Parramatta, the Bulldogs will be four points outside the finals places with three full rounds remaining. Jethro Rinakama left the match with a knee issue, while coach Cameron Ciraldo said his side gave South Sydney too many opportunities through errors.

In the earlier match, the Dolphins climbed above Cronulla into fourth with their 22-0 win over Manly. It was the first time in 33 years that the Sea Eagles had been held scoreless at Brookvale Oval, and their sixth straight loss left their finals prospects virtually over. Dolphins second-rower Connelly Lemuelu limped off with a hamstring injury.