NRL: Rabbitohs shock Roosters in gutsy 20-14 comeback win

South Sydney defied a nightmare injury toll and turned to their superstar to steal one of the most memorable derby wins in recent memory, downing the Roosters 20-14 in a pulsating Friday night clash at Accor Stadium.

With both starting halves and winger Mikaele Ravalawa sidelined by hamstring injuries, the Rabbitohs finished with just one man on the bench and players out of position all over the park.

But Latrell Mitchell delivered the knockout blow — a pinpoint 30-metre cut-out pass to Isaiah Tass that broke the 14-all deadlock with eight minutes left.

Mitchell also converted from the sideline and steered the side home from five-eighth after earlier shifting from centre.

It was his first game back from injury and his first club appearance at centre since the 2019 Grand Final — and he didn’t disappoint.

Despite two kicks out on the full and some scrappy patches, his instinctive brilliance sparked a Souths revival just as the game looked gone.

Moments earlier, a bizarre line drop-out from Mitchell turned into a 50-metre play, leading to Jye Gray’s try that tied the game.

NRL Round 5 Highlights: Rabbitohs vs Roosters

Wayne Bennett described the performance as one of the bravest he had ever seen from the $1.65 bookmaker favourites.

“They just wouldn’t give up,” he said.

“Words don’t explain it. It’ll stay in their memory forever.”

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The Rabbitohs had dominated the first half but only led 8-6 at the break.

The Roosters burst out of the sheds with tries to Billy Smith and Dom Young, and looked set to run over the top of a shattered Souths side.

But they failed to land the killer blow.

Souths scrambled, clung on, and when their moment came, Mitchell seized it.

Isaiah Tass’s try was cleared by the Bunker after he tiptoed the sideline, sealing the Rabbitohs’ first win over the Roosters since 2022.

Cody Walker (hamstring), Jamie Humphreys (hamstring), and Ravalawa all failed to finish the match, while Jai Arrow and Jack Wighton were forced into unfamiliar roles as Souths battled with a skeleton squad.

For the Roosters, it was another case of missed opportunities.

Trent Robinson’s men had 14-8 on the board and all the momentum, but couldn’t convert pressure into points.

James Tedesco ran for 220 metres and busted 12 tackles, but it wasn’t enough.

The Roosters fell to 1-4 and face more concern with Lindsay Collins (knee) and Nat Butcher (on report) adding to the fallout for their 2025 NRL season.

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