NRL round 6 LIVE: Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys ...

Pressure eases on Brad Arthur

Most of the spotlight has been on embattled Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou, but this was also an important night for Brad Arthur. A disappointing start to the campaign, after missing out on the finals last year, has heaped plenty of pressure on the Eels coach. However, this win, without Mitchell Moses, will keep the knives at bay. The decision to select Daejarn Asi over young playmaker Ethan Sanders has been justified.

Nervous wait for Brown, Cartwright

Three seconds of madness could play havoc with Parramatta’s season. Dylan Brown was placed on report for a high shot on Tom Dearden late in the opening half. And then Bryce Cartwright, in completing the tackle, also got booked for a late hit. Given they are already missing Mitchell Moses, the blue and golds can’t afford to be without their next-best playmakers.

Cowboys far from the real deal

Had they won this, North Queensland would have sat on top of the NRL ladder. They have no right to such a lofty position. They’ve beaten up on a few of the competition’s battlers - including the Dolphins, Dragons and Titans - but have been no match against heavyweights Brisbane and now Parramatta. They are going to have to take some big scalps before they are considered a genuine contender.

Ronnie Mulitalo has helped Teig Wilton to a second try.

He came down with a kick and kept the ball alive for his backrower to score.

Souths were pinged for a forward pass, which allowed the visitors to go on the attack.

Where I am sitting in the press box was directly in line with that pass from Walker to Taane Milne. And guess what? That was not a forward pass.

Cronulla lead 28-12 with just over ten minutes remaining.

Taane Milne has hit back for Souths after some excellent lead-up work by Tom Burgess.

The big Brit steamrolled Jack Williams and got the Bunnies on the front foot.

Milne camped out on the right wing, waited for a pass to dribble along the ground, went to charge into the right corner, baulked, then backed his initial instinct to score.

Dean Hawkins slotted the sideline conversion to make it 22-12.

Souths have knocked on from a Cronulla dropout, yet Ronnie Mulitalo was not pulled up for being a ‘disruptor’.

Not once did Ronnie look at the ball.

There’s been no change to the score after 47 minutes.

There are reports Cam Murray’s night is over after failing a HIA.

The Bunnies can not take a trick.

The hit from Sione Katoa looked so innocuous.

The Bunnies are down to 14 men.

Yes, on a night the coach is fighting for his career.

There was a funny moment late in the first half while the players were standing around as the bunker reviewed a Cronulla captain’s challenge.

Jesse Ramien was penalised for being a ‘disruptor’ when he jumped for a kick and put Jack Wighton off his game.

Disruptor? What a silly name.

Sharks star Nicho Hynes asked referee Ashley Klein why Souths kept getting all the calls, and said: Ï know where they’re sitting on the ladder, sir.”

Klein was having none of it and ran off.

Sione Katoa was placed on report right on half-time for a high shot on Cam Murray.

Dean Hawkins pushed the penalty conversion right.

At least Souths will welcome the return of Jye Gray for the second half after he passed his HIA.

Ronnie Mulitalo has a double. Stop it.

The Sharks winger dived on a Braydon Trindall grubber to make it 14-6 just before the break.

Cam McInnes did well to break free of a Dean Hawkins tackle and charged down field.

Jack Wighton was brought up into the defensive line as a result, and Trindall put the kick through straight away.

Nicho Hynes slots the conversion to make it 16-6.

Another try before half-time and that will be the game for the Rabbits.

Ronaldo Mulitalo has turned provider for an excellent Cronulla try.

Nicho Hynes launched the ball high, Mulitalo leapt high and came down with the ball, but somehow squeezed a pass for Teig Wilton to score.

Mulitalo is a seriously good winger.

Jack Wighton has been forced to move to fullback for South Sydney with Jye Gray undergoing a concussion test. Skipper Cam Murray is defending at left centre.

The Sharkies lead 10-6.