Andrew Johns has delivered the Rabbitohs a blunt warning ahead of their preliminary final against the Panthers.
While the Rabbitohs beat the Sharks comfortably to set up a preliminary final against the reigning premiers, overcoming Cronulla 38-12 at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, they completed at only 68 per cent and made 14 errors.
They were saved by resolute defence, the Sharks’ misfiring attack and the plethora of weapons in their own attack.
READ MORE: Cripps snatches Brownlow in whirlwind finish
READ MORE: Great’s stinging ultimatum to $750k finals flop
READ MORE: Disaster strikes UK star with gold medal in sight
But South Sydney is now awaiting the toughest test in the league in Penrith, the team looking to become just the second club in the NRL era to win back-to-back titles.
“They need to improve so much on (their performance against the Sharks) if they’re going to beat Penrith,” Johns said on Nine’s The Sunday Footy Show.
“Made a lot of errors.
“Freddy spoke about to beat Penrith you’re going to have to use ball movement.
“Jason Demetriou spoke after the game … he said they’re going to have to chase the game.
Razzle-dazzle Rabbitohs stun Sharks
“But if they make errors early coming out of trouble, Penrith will just suffocate them.”
The Panthers, who finished two wins clear on top of the ladder, earned the second weekend of the finals off after trumping the Eels 27-8 in a qualifying final.
The Panthers-Rabbitohs preliminary final is a rematch of the 2021 grand final, which saw Penrith win 14-12 to secure its first premiership since 2003.
Penrith and South Sydney will clash at Accor Stadium on Saturday night.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
Queen Elizabeth II – the sporting life of the monarch
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
