Test star Greg Inglis scored a hat-trick of tries as South Sydney crushed defending champions Sydney Roosters 28-8 to open Australia's National Rugby League season on Thursday.
For the second successive season the Rabbitohs drew first blood against their fierce local rivals in round one, overpowering the world club champions.
The Rabbitohs, with English Test forward Sam Burgess outstanding in the collisions, scored four tries to one and dominated the second half after the score was locked at 6-6 at halftime.
Inglis was another one of South Sydney's star performers with three tries from fullback, while New Zealand Test hooker Issac Luke was influential around the rucks.
South Sydney's rugged defence jolted the Roosters into errors and scrum-half Adam Reynolds capped a polished performance with six goals from as many attempts.
The Roosters went in as strong favourites after their commanding 36-14 win over England's Wigan Warriors in last month's World Club Challenge match in Sydney.
Source: AFP
