Canberra Raiders coach David Furner has heaped praise on his no-frills forward pack after they out-muscled a South Sydney engine room boasting four Kiwi internationals on Monday night.
While the inexperienced halves paring of Josh McCrone and Marc Herbert both excelled in the absence of NSW No.6 Terry Campese on the way to a 34-18 victory, Furner said the tireless efforts of his men up front separated the two sides.
"I thought our forwards again got over the top of their forwards, (and it's) a fairly solid pack that Souths have," he said.
"I thought we did a good job and went through them quite well."
While rampaging back-rower Tom Learoyd-Lahrs attracted rave reviews, the coach singled out some of his lesser-known big men.
"I've got to give guys like Josh Miller and (Scott) Logan and (Dane) Tilse, they just all put their hand up, and even Tonguey (skipper Alan Tongue)," he said.
"I thought collectively our forward pack were very good."
Centre Joel Monaghan also paid tribute to his big men but highlighted Herbert's ability to steer his troops around the park as central to the win.
"In the last two weeks we've really stepped up and missing Campo out there ... I thought (Herbert) controlled the game the best I've seen him, but when you're behind a pack of forwards like that it's a lot easier," he said.
Monaghan, a victim of the Blues' decision to blood several new faces for Wednesday's State of Origin opener, says the victory helps soften the disappointment of his omission from Craig Bellamy's side.
"It was a pretty tough start to the week but as a footballer you've got to move on and that was out of my control," he said.
"What was in my control was to come out and be positive and have a good week with the team and get a good win which I thought we did."
Rabbitohs coach Jason Taylor conceded his men were clearly dominated up front in the second stanza but also blamed his side's ineffective kicking game for the loss.
"The scoreboard got away from us a little bit tonight but I don't think we were enormously below the way we've played in the last few weeks - we just haven't been quite there," he said.
"We got away with a field-goal against the Wests Tigers and last week we got a draw out of Parramatta but tonight they just got away."
"In those games I think our kicking got us out of it whereas tonight it left a bit to be desired."