Cooper Johns stars in Manly debut as Seibold era off to fast start but Souths teen has ‘night out’

Cooper Johns has starred in his Manly debut and ensured the Anthony Seibold era began with a 30-28 victory over the Rabbitohs on Friday night.

Souths teenager Dion Teaupa lit up the first half with the crafty No. 6 scoring two tries, but Johns responded emphatically.

MATCH CENTRE: Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs live scores, teams

The Bunnies struck first in Gosford thanks to a sensational grubber from Teaupa and finish from Tom Carr.

Souths charged down field with a break from fullback Blake Taaffe before Teaupa put a beautiful kick in for Carr to cross in the corner.

“Nice kick, nice chase, nice put down, good stuff from the young Bunnies,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

Carr scored 22 tries in 23 games for North Sydney in the NSW Cup last season and is fighting for a spot on Souths’ wing this season.

Dion Teaupa and Cooper Johns on Friday night. GettySource: Getty Images

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Manly struck thanks a class ball from Storm recruit Johns who threw a pinpoint pass for Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega to score with an acrobatic finish.

“A lovely floating pass over the top, he summed it up beautifully and a great finish,” Mick Ennis said.

“Cooper Johns, what a start it’s been for him.”

Teaupa scored the Rabbitohs second try in the 13th minute when he grubbered to himself and collected the ball off the upright.

“He has landed that absolutely perfectly and he’s full of confidence,” Ennis said.

Carr crunched Ben Trbojevic in the 17th minute but the latter still managed to get the pass away to Christian Tuipulotu who was held up in the corner.

“Just look at the desperation here, it’s great catch and pass and skill under pressure from Ben Trbojevic,” Ennis said.

“Tuipulotu is hard to handle close to the line and that is great desperation defence from South Sydney.”

The Rabbitohs turned defence into attack as Taaffe and Teaupa combined again for the teenager to score his second.

“Teaupa is having a night out the young man. He is playing with some confidence, he’s fit, he’s fast and his decision making on the edge has been superb,” Ennis said.

“He’s making a name for himself tonight and that’s the great thing of this time of year. On the big stage and under the bright lights he looks right at home.”

Tuaimalo Vaega scored his second when he burrowed between two defenders and slammed the ball down in the 30th minute.

“Just too strong and powerful close to the line, didn’t hesitate did he,” Ennis said.

Manly fullback Jake Toby darted out of dummyhalf from close range and somehow beat three defenders to dot down a soft try.

They then made it three tries in five minutes as Johns put through a grubber for Zac Fulton to score under the posts.

“I thought it was scrappy, we finished really well but let in a few easy tries in, overall a really good start,” Johns said at halftime.

Taaffe put up a bomb in the 46th minute and chased his own kick to score after receiving a bat back from Richard Kennar.

“They is as good as you will see throughout the year, great skill,” Ginnane said.

Manly squared things up when Toby crossed for his second after backing up nicely but Johns missed the sideline conversion to take the lead.

Souths winger Leone Te Hau was binned in the 67th minute for a lifting tackle that concussed Fletcher Myers and the Sea Eagles quickly made them pay.

Fast hands down the left edge saw Toby set up Cameron Brown cross in the corner and Johns slotted the sideline conversion for a 30-24 lead.

“That’s just class, Manly back in front, that is too good,”

An individual effort from Rabbitohs halfback Jarett Subloo saw him score in the 73rd minute but he missed the conversion to lock up the scores.

Here are three of the biggest talking points in the match.

JOHNS LIGHTS IT UP