Taylor's revenge over Eels

HE was the caretaker coach who desperately wanted to become the full-time coach. But Parramatta simply did not want Jason Taylor.

He was thrown out and collected by South Sydney. Yesterday at Telstra Stadium, Taylor extracted a satisfying revenge on the Eels.

Taylor masterminded Souths to a 31-6 win over Parramatta, the Rabbitohs' second victory in successive matches.

"I'm sure 'JT' will have a little grin on his face," said Souths prop Roy Asotasi.

"You always love playing and beating your old club."

Taylor played down the joy he must surely have taken from yesterday's win.

Asked was he pleased to notch up a win against Parramatta, Taylor said: "Not really to be honest. It sounds like I'm just saying that.

"It is always good if you win but they (Parramatta) are a top side and the fact we got over the top of them was most pleasing.

"Not that other stuff."

Souths backed up last Monday's 18-6 win over the Roosters with yesterday's thumping victory.
The Rabbitohs are equal first on the NRL premiership table but players and officials are trying to avoid digesting the hype surrounding the club.

After a tight first half, Souths surged home over the top of a highly disappointing Parramatta.
Souths conceded one try last week and just one yesterday.

"It was a really strong win," Taylor said.

"We knew we would be playing a team that would be twice as good as they were last week.

"We got that . They got in our faces in that first half."

Parramatta have now lost both matches this season.

They offered little in attack and what they did throw at Souths was quickly repelled.
Souths' defence was meritorious given hooker Daniel Irvine was sent to the sin-bin for tackling PJ Marsh off the ball.

The tackle occurred when Marsh was ready to dive on a loose ball for a try.

Video referee Steve Clark however denied a penalty try but Irvine was sin-binned.

"To give it a try I would have had to have been 100 per cent certain a try would have been scored. The ball had gone too deep (in the in-goal) to have that view," said Clark.

Eels coach Michael Hagan said: "It would be difficult to find a better example of a penalty try."

The Eels clawed back to 6-6 just before halftime before Paul Mellor scored right on the break to give Souths a 12-6 lead.

Rabbitohs winger Nathan Merritt scored a wonderful solo try just after halftime to give Souths a lead they never surrendered.

"Holding them to just six points is a real positive," said Souths fullback David Peachey.

Souths forward Dean Widders added: "It was a good win but they were without (injured) Nathan Hindmarsh. That left a big hole."

SOUTH SYDNEY 31 (N Merritt 2, D Fa'alogo, P Mellor, N Vagana tries; J Williams 5 goals, J Williams field goal)

PARRAMATTA 6 (T Tahu try; L Burt goal) at Telstra Stadium. Referee: S Hampstead. Crowd: 15,165.