As it happened: Eels cling on in thriller; Rabbitohs dig deep

Cowboys control: North Qld got through 40 of 42 sets at 95 per cent and came up with only four errors compared to 11 for the Eels. Coen Hess (17 runs for 197m) and Jason Taumalolo (15 runs for 148m) were immense in the middle and Semi Valemei racked up 211 run metres while Braidon Burns had 10 tackle breaks.

Full-time: An absolute thriller to end the round with the Eels hanging on for their seventh win of the season. The Eels had eight players who ran for more than 100 metres led by Joash Papalii with 183 metres and Zac Lomax 150 metres.

80 min: The Cowboys cross through Jake Clifford but the try is referred to the bunker for interference by Jeremiah Nanai. The bunker rules 'no try' and the Eels somehow hang on after they had invited the Cowboys into the position to steal the game with a couple of crazy plays.

79 min: Another blunder by Tallyn Da Silva with his pass out of dummy half and the Cowboys get a final shot at glory.

75 min: Mitch Moses steps up and nails a field goal from 35 metres out. Eels 19-18.

73 min: Frantic attack by the Eels and Mitch Moses chips over the top at the end of the set and Scott Drinkwater claims it.

70 min: Tallyn Da Silva chooses to go on his own out of dummy half and turns the ball over with Mitch Moses less than impressed that he didn't get the ball.

67 min: The Cowboys throw a pass deep in their own territory and it makes contact with their trainer before Braidon Burns falls on it. The referee rules play on and allows Burns to play the ball.

66 min: Jake Clifford comes up with a superb kick to pin the Eels deep in their own territory as the arm wrestle continues.

57 min: A ball strip by Ryley Smith piggybacks the Cowboys up the field before Junior Paulo takes Zac Laybutt high to put the visitors inside the Red Zone.

54 min: The Cowboys go bang bang with Jaxon Purdue crossing after Joash Papalii puts down a bomb and the youngster picks up the scraps to score. Zac Laybutt adds the extras 18-18.

52 min: Semi Valemei takes an intercept and streaks away before Ryley Smith and Josh Addo-Carr shut him down. The Cowboys move to the left and Braidon Burns crosses in the corner after a nice tap-on by Jaxon Purdue. Eels 18-12.

50 min: Joash Papalii flies high to bring down a bomb right on his own tryline and the Cowboys are penalised for dragging him back into the in goal after the tackle was complete.

48 min: Tom Dearden opts for a kick early in the count and Jack Williams traps and scraps to gain possession for the Eels.

44 min: The Eels march upfield on the back of a penalty against Will Penisini shows plenty of strength to hold off Braidon Burns and slam the ball down for Parra's third. Zac Lomax converts. Eels 18-8.

'Foxx' on the run: Josh Addo-Carr delivered big time with a try double and two line breaks, lighting up CommBank Stadium with a special celebration for Indigenous Round after his second try.

Half-time: Both sides complete high in a tight first half - the Eels go 18 of 19 at 94 per cent and the Cowboys 20 of 21 at 95 per cent. A strong first half from Coen Hess in the middle for the Cowboys with 100 metres from eight runs, while Semi Valemei racks up 89 metres from 11 runs.

39 min: Jaxon Purdue grubbers into the in goal and earns a line dropout which Mitch Moses bangs 65 metres.

33 min: A double for Josh Addo-Carr courtesy of a deft Mitch Moses grubber into the in goal and The Foxx's speed does the rest. Addo-Carr is now up to 13 tries for the season and 153 for his career. Eels 12-8.

28 min: Great skill from Dean Hawkins to pick up a ball off his bootlaces and get a pass out to Josh Addo-Carr all in one motion. 'The Foxx' dives over in the corner and the Eels are back in it. Cowboys 8-6.

26 min: Zac Lomax comes up with a trademark catch just short of the Cowboys line but Braidon Burns bundles him into touch.

19 min: Playing his first game since Magic Round, Jason Taumalolo gets a spell after a superb opening stint that included seven runs for 74 metres and a tackle break.

19 min: The Eels are penalised for a ruck infringement after Coen Hess appeared to lose the ball cold. Zac Laybutt bangs over the goal. Cowboys 8-2.

17 min: Another short kick from Jake Clifford and the Eels are forced to cover up for a line dropout.

16 min: The Eels blow their captain's challenge early after Ryley Smith comes up with ruck interference that causes Jason Taumalolo to drop the ball. The Eels challenge and come up empty.

14 min: A left foot grubber by Jake Clifford evades Zac Lomax and Jaxon Purdue pounces on the rolling ball to grab the opening try. Zac Laybutt adds the extras. Cowboys 6-2.

8 min: Coen Hess is placed on report for a cannonball tackle and the Eels get a full set from close range but Joash Papalii comes up with an innocuous kick on the last.

6 min: The Eels open the scoring through a Zax Lomax penalty goal after the Cowboys were pinged for crowding in the ruck. Eels 2-0.

Late Mail

Eels: Dylan Brown is back for his first game since Round 19, added to the starting side at centre an hour before kick-off. Luca Moretti will start at lock and Dylan Walker goes to the bench in another late change. Jordan Samrani drops to 18th man with Brown returning. Kelma Tuilagi has been added to the bench after returning from suspension in NSW Cup last week. 

Cowboys: No further game day changes after Viliami Vailea (foot), Harrison Edwards and Tom Mikaele (knee) were all ruled out on Saturday. Winger Semi Valemei returns for his first appearance in the top grade since Round 10 last year while Kaiden Lahrs has been added to the bench alongside forward Nic Lenaz, who makes his NRL debut. Prop Jason Taumalolo (calf) and halfback Jake Clifford (quad) make their returns. 

 

Titans v Rabbitohs at Cbus Super Stadium

Welcome back, Latrell: From setting up tries to saving them, Latrell Mitchell had a hand in everything in his return from injury. The stats sheet showed six runs for 64 metres and a line break and try assist, but Mitchell's presence can't be measured in stats alone. His combination with Alex Johnston on the left edge is lethal and could be the key to the champion winger breaking Ken Irvine's tryscoring record before the season is out.

Full-time: The Rabbitohs take a giant step towards avoiding the wooden spoon thanks to some courageous defence in the closing stages that seals a 20-18 win. With a guaranteed two points to come from a bye the Bunnies are effectively four points clear of the Titans on the ladder with four rounds remaining.

80 min: Good scramble again by Souths as Jojo Fifita is shut down just five metres from the tryline.

79 min: Brandon Smith hands the Titans a late chance when he fails to get to his feet to play the ball correctly and turns it over on halfway.

77 min: Jojo Fifita gets a crack on the left edge but Isaiah Tass comes up with good cover defence of his own to keep the Rabbitohs' line intact.

76 min: The Bunnies go right but Jojo Fifita comes up with a strong cover tackle on Bayley Bentleigh-Hape and the Titans come away.

75 min: A dropped ball by Klese Haas gives the Rabbitohs possession inside Titans territory and a chance to close it out.

74 min: On the back of a Brandon Smith line break the Rabbitohs turn the ball over just five metres out from the Titans line.

73 min: The Titans lose their captain's challenge after a Jayden Campbell knock on is called by the referee and backed up by the bunker.

66 min: Sam Verrills burrows over from dummy half between Latrell Mitchell and Brandon Smith to put the Titans right back in it. Jayden Campbell's conversion hits the upright and goes over. Rabbitohs 20-18.

60 min: Jamie Humphreys goes to the air, Latrell Mitchell goes high and brings the ball down before getting an audacious flick pass to Alex Johnston who crosses for his second try. That's 209 tries for Johnston now. Bayley Bentleigh-Hape converts. Rabbitohs 20-12.

58 min: The Rabbitohs stand up in defence with Thomas Fletcher coming up with a strong shot to force an error from Beau Fermor.

57 min: Alofiana Khan-Pereira splits the Rabbitohs on a kick return and at the end of the set the Titans grubber into the in goal and force a line dropout.

54 min: Lachlan Hubner comes reeling out of a tackle holding his shoulder and is immediately replaced.

49 min: Latrell Mitchell gets across in cover to wrap up Jojo Fifita who loses the ball and Souths get a scrum feed 10 metres out from their own line.

47 min: A blow for the Titans with Brian Kelly ruled out after failing a HIA.

Half-time: The Titans had 54 per cent of the ball and had 27 tackle breaks to eight but head to the sheds down by two. The inclusion of Latrell Mitchell and Brandon Smith has been big for the Rabbitohs with both internationals having some nice touches. 

40 min: A penalty against Jayden Campbell for an illegal strip hands Bayley Bentleigh-Hape a shot at goal and he knocks it over. Rabbitohs 14-12.

38 min: A left side raid by the Rabbitohs finishes with AJ Brimson knocking down Alex Johnston's final pass and the visitors get a fresh set from 10 metres out.

37 min: Liam Le Blanc leaves the field for a HIA which he passes.

32 min: Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui is placed on report for a shoulder charge on Jai Arrow.

31 min: The Rabbitohs draw level courtesy of a penalty goal after Lachlan Hubner is tackled while not in possession as he loomed up in support of Tallis Duncan. 12-12.

27 min: Jye Gray goes close on the left side before Souths go right and Isaiah Tass gets the tap-on to Bayleigh Bentley-Hape for the Rabbitohs' second try. The tryscorer steps up and converts his own four-pointer. Titans 12-10.

21 min: Lachlan Hubner is penalised and placed on report for a shoulder charge.

19 min: The Rabbitohs are pinged for a forward pass coming out of their own end and Jai Arrow argues the call and is penalised for dissent. Jayden Campbell lands the easy penalty goal. The home side have had 67 per cent of possession and are making the most of that dominance. Titans 12-4.

15 min: Siliva Havili leaves the field and heads up the tunnel with a calf problem.

14 min: The Titans earn a repeat set after Alex Johnston gets back to clean up a kick and is tackled in goal and they strike when Beau Fermor powers into a hole on the left edge. Titans 10-4.

11 min: The Titans hit back when Jojo Fifita gets a pass away around the corner for Jaylan De Groot to cross in the corner. Jayden Campbell converts from wide out. Titans 6-4.

7 min: Jayden Campbell slices through and seems certain to score but Latrell Mitchell comes from behind and knocks the ball loose before the Titans halfback can get the ball to ground. A couple of big plays already for Latrell in his comeback with the try assist and the save.

6 min: The Rabbitohs concede an offside penalty and then a six-again to invite the Titans into the Red Zone.

3 min: A flying start for the Rabbitohs as Latrell Mitchell throws the final pass for Alex Johnston to cross for career try No.208. 'AJ' is now just four behind Ken Irvine's all-time record. Jamie Humphreys fails to convert. Rabbitohs 4-0.

Late Mail

Titans: Moeaki Fotuaika has been ruled out due to illness so Reagan Campbell-Gillard moves to the starting side and Tuki Simpkins joins the bench after the NRL gave approval for him to join from outside the 19-man squad due to Fotuaika's exclusion due to the flu. Phil Sami has been placed in the concussion protocol, which has opened the door for Alofiana Khan-Pereira to return to the side on the wing. 

Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell was added to the starting side on Saturday as he returns from a quad injury. Mitchell lines up at centre with Tallis Duncan moving to the back row and Euan Aitken making way. Jai Arrow will line up at lock, Siliva Havili at prop and Lachlan Hubner on the bench in a game day shuffle. Brandon Smith makes his return from a knee injury via the interchange, while Jamie Humphreys and Peter Mamouzelos are on track to return from concussions.

Numbers Game

• The Titans have won only one of their last seven games at Cbus Super Stadium.
• The Rabbitohs have won their last nine games against the Titans.
• Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 14 tries in 12 games against the Titans.
• Titans hooker Sam Verrills will play his 100th NRL game.