NRL news 2026: Brian Kelly sin bin; Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs; wall penalty

The Eels went down to 12 men inside two minutes against South Sydney at Allianz Stadium with a sin bin costing them dearly.

The Indigenous Round fixture started with the Rabbitohs in attacking territory after 90 seconds and set up for a short-side play.

Cody Walker swerved around Mitchell Moses before throwing a one-handed pass to Tallis Duncan who was taken out by multiple defenders.

The referee sent the tackle upstairs for review which showed Brian Kelly had put hands on Duncan before he caught the ball.

The Eels winger was sent to the sin bin as a result, and gave referee Wyatt Raymond a bemused look.

“That’s a tough start by Parramatta,” Billy Slater said on Nine.

The absence of Kelly led to three tries for South Sydney with two of those coming from Alex Johnston who was on Kelly’s side.

Johnston had a first-half hat-trick by the 25th minute to leave Parramatta reeling with the score 24-0.

The Rabbitohs could’ve been leading 28-0 when Cody Walker looked like he scored a runaway try.

However, it was called back when Sean Keppie and Cody Walker were ruled to have formed “a wall” when Matt Dufty was attempting a catch.

Slater gave his best Phil Gould impression when the decision was made.

“No, no, no ... every player is allowed to go back towards the football,” he said.

Gould added: “Seriously? That sort of decision is not good for our sport.”

The Bunker call came when the Eels were going down a man as Isaiah Iongi hobbled off the field with a knee injury.

South Sydney halfback Ashton Ward had departed earlier after injuring his hamstring while goalkicking.

The Rabbitohs finished 28-0 leaders at half-time with a late try to Jye Gray.

After the break, Parramatta came out an entirely different side.

Tallyn De Silva, Ryley Smith and Ronald Volkman all scored inside 10 minutes of the second half to make it interesting. Jordan Samrani then flew about the Rabbitohs defence in the 67th minute to put Parramatta in striking distance.

However, the Rabbitohs stayed strong and a Walker 40/20 with two minutes left ensured they won 28-24.

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