Penrith reach another NRL Grand Final as Souths lose their heads in second half capitulation
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Penrith reaches another NRL Grand Final as Souths lose their heads in capitulation in the second half – and Taane Milne sees red for BRUTE tackle on Spencer Leniu
- Penrith defeated South Sydney 32-12 in Preliminary Final at Accor Stadium
- The Panthers will face Parramatta next Sunday in the NRL Grand Final
- Penrith bids to win consecutive premierships after triumphing last year
- Roosters in 2018 and 2019 are the only team to have won consecutive titles
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Penrith is through to a third consecutive Grand Final after coming from behind to beat South Sydney 32-12 and set up a clash with Parramatta in the NRL decider.
In a dramatic preliminary final, Penrith trailed 12-0 four minutes before half-time, but led 18-12 shortly after the break to take control of the game.
Souths winger Taane Milne also became the first player in 28 years to be sent off in a final game for a high shot at Panthers backer Spencer Leniu in the final 20 minutes.
Leniu’s condition will now likely be a concern in the lead up to the grand final after he was sent off for a second head injury assessment.
He had to be pulled away from Milne when the Rabbitoh left the field.
Penrith will also sweat over the availability of Viliame Kikau, who was put on a report for a shoulder attack on Campbell Graham.
Jarome Luai was also penalized for a late high shot at Graham.
Taane Milne was marched for a brutal tackle on Spencer Leniu in the second half
The Panthers attacker had to leave the field for an HIA after being startled by the hit
Nothing will spoil the Panthers’ celebration, however, as they look in great shape to become only the second team to win consecutive titles in the NRL era.
Nathan Cleary was brilliant as always, Kikau powerful in defense and Dylan Edwards fantastic in the back both on offense and defense.
But after three years of dominance and never closing more than 10 points behind, they had to work hard for this win.
They were denied by the bunker three times in the first half as Souths scored the first two tries of the game.
Cody Walker (left) put the Rabbitohs ahead with 11 minutes left in the first half
Richard Kennar added a second shortly afterwards as Souths took a 12-0 lead on Saturday
But Latrell Mitchell and the Bunnies couldn’t hold out when the Panthers came back roaring
The Panthers finally got up and Brian To’o delivered an almost as pivotal move as Stephen Crichton’s interception in last year’s grand final.
After a quick Kikau play-the-ball sent Api Koroisau off the dummy half in the 37th minute, To’o picked up a dropped ball from Graham and ran 80 yards to score on the siren,
His run included an almighty attack on Cody Walker that fired the Souths defense and what could have been an 18-6 lead for the Rabbitohs turned into a 12-12 stalemate.
And when Kikau produced an attack from Lachlan Ilias just after half-time and Nathan Cleary kicked Leniu, the game was almost over.
Api Koroisau scored Penrith’s first try with a brilliant piece of individual skill
Before Brian To’o pulled the reigning Prime Ministers levels right on the stroke of halftime
Viliame Kikau (right) was put on report and may miss the grand finale
Cleary also scored a late four-pointer himself as Penrith walked away with it, as his kicks once again terrorized the South Sydney wingers.
Edwards produced several crucial kick-returns to put Penrith on the front foot with his 230 meters and he pulled out a number of tackles as the last line of defence.
By comparison, the Panthers managed to keep Latrell Mitchell quiet, with his only real impact when he helped Richie win over Kennar for a left wing try.
Mitchell, Kennar, Graham and Milne were all regularly hit hard in the first half, while Cody Walker scored Souths’ first try but didn’t have his usual impact.
Relive all the action from the preliminary final between Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs with Sportsmail’s live blog.