Manly Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler lost his cool during the first half of his side’s NRL finals loss to South Sydney.
The Sea Eagles were only down by six points after 15 minutes, but Hasler was already feeling the tension after a scoring opportunity went begging.
As Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans spread the ball wide inside 30 metres from the try-line, winger Jason Saab found himself briefly in space storming down the sideline, only to be wrapped up and bundled into touch by two Rabbitohs.
“You’ve got to give them a rap, South Sydney. That was superb defence,” Sea Eagles legend Paul Vautin said in commentary for Nine.
“Manly’s first attacking chance down in Souths’ danger area and Saab’s got the speed, but look at them [the Rabbitohs] go!”
After Hasler’s reaction to the try-saving tackle was broadcast, Vautin explained what the Manly coach was likely yelling about in the coaches box.
“Uh-oh,” Vautin said. “The red and green jumpers everywhere. Can’t do much about that, Des.
“I think he was probably hoping Saab would step inside once he saw the cover coming over.”
Manly’s luck didn’t get much better from there with two tries disallowed by the Bunker and Hasler’s men facing a 22-point deficit at half-time.
Despite a quick score to start the second half the Sea Eagles failed to spark a comeback, as South Sydney sealed a spot in the 2021 NRL grand final with a 36-16 victory.
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