‘I don’t know what’s happened’: Roosters-Rabbitohs rivalry erupts as Manu’s act sparks fiery melee

The latest chapter in the NRL’s oldest and fiercest rivalry has been written — and it ended with two players in the sin bin after a fiery end to Friday night’s game.

The Roosters finished 20-18 winners, with winger Jaxson Paulo haunting his former side as the 23-year-old scored two tries in the victory.

But alongside the highlight-reel plays was plenty of spice and the emotions boiled over late in the game, resulting in Joseph Manu and Michael Chee-Kam both being sent to the sin bin.

It came after South Sydney desperately tried to score a try late in the second half, trailing 20-12 at the time with just over three minutes on the clock.

Going down its lethal left edge, Alex Johnston raced down the field and was stopped by a desperate Paulo tackle, passing back inside to Isaiah Tass in support.

Manu, scrambling in cover defence, then collected the Rabbitohs centre high to force a mistake and save the try before walking right over Tass as he celebrated the play.

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The shot and his actions after did not seem to go down well with Cameron Murray, who confronted Manu and quickly several other players started to get involved too.

“Manu and Murray are into it and now Nat Butcher and Cody Walker,” said Dan Ginnane in commentary for Fox League.

“It takes something for Cameron Murray to get involved in something like this,” added Greg Alexander.

“I don’t know what’s happened.”

Manu surfaced from the scrum of players bleeding from his cheekbone and sporting quite the shiner.

The two teams clashed late.Source: FOX SPORTSJoey Manu with the high shot.Source: FOX SPORTSTempers flared on Friday night.Source: FOX SPORTSThe two teams clashed late.Source: FOX SPORTS