2021 NRL Round 19 Preview, Rabbitohs Vs Warriors
Jem Nash previews the round 19 battle between the Rabbitohs and Warriors on Saturday afternoon. This is what we have to look forward to.
TEAM NEWS
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Date: 24/7, Time: 3:00pm AEST
Rabbitohs Team
1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Josh Mansour
3. Dane Gagai
4. Campbell Graham
5. Jaxson Paulo
6. Cody Walker
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Mark Nicholls
9. Damien Cook
10. Thomas Burgess
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Cameron Murray
14. Taane Milne
15. Jacob Host
16. Patrick Mago
17. Jai Arrow
18. Braidon Burns
19. Jed Cartwright
20. Blake Taaffe
21. Dean Hawkins
Team Changes
IN: Dean Hawkins, Jai Arrow, Jaxson Paulo, Jed Cartwright, Josh Mansour, Latrell Mitchell
OUT: Alex Johnston, Liam Knight, Peter Mamouzelos
Warriors Team
1. Reece Walsh
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Adam Pompey
4. Euan Aitken
5. Marcolo Montoya
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Chad Townsend
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Jazz Tevaga
10. Matthew Lodge
11. Jack Murchie
12. Bayley Sironen
13. Josh Curran
14. Taniela Otukolo
15. Eliesa Katoa
16. Bunty Afoa
17. Leeson Ah Mau
18. Kane Evans
19. Edward Kosi
20. Sean O’Sullivan
21. Ben Murdoch-Masila
Team Changes
IN: Adam Pompey, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Bunty Afoa, Edward Kosi, Jack Murchie, Sean O’Sullivan, Taniela Otukolo
OUT: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rocco Berry, Wayde Egan, Tohu Harris
Referee: Chris Butler
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Rabbitohs
Latrell Mitchell returns at fullback after resting against the Bulldogs on Sunday, while Jai Arrow also comes back onto the bench after serving a suspension. Josh Mansour and Jaxson Paulo have been named on the wings with Taane Milne shifting to the bench and Alex Johnston out with a hamstring injury. The Bulldogs made the the Rabbitohs work for their win last week, fighting back from a 12-10 half time deficit to come away with a 32-24 win. They currently sit in third just one win behind the Panthers and Storm.
Warriors
Plenty of changes for the Warriors after they were decimated last week. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is out with concussion with Kodi Nikorima coming back into the starting side. Adam Pompey was named at centre in place of Rocco Berry who is out with a hamstring injury, while Jazz Tevaga takes over at hooker in place of the injured Wayde Egan. Bunty Afoa and Taniela Otukolo have been named on the bench.
The Warriors were extremely brave in a 14 point loss to the Panthers on Sunday afternoon, playing the entire second half without a healthy player on the bench. They’re not completely out of the finals race just yet, but time is running out.
PREVIEW
After facing the 2nd placed Panthers last week, it doesn’t get any easier for the Warriors as they come up against the high flying Rabbitohs. The Bunnies come into this clash on the back of six straight wins and are firmly entrenched in the top four. They also get a well rested Latrell Mitchell back while the Warriors will be without their inspiring skipper in Tuivasa-Sheck, as well as arguably their best forward in Tohu Harris.
A lot of pressure will once again be on young star fullback Reece Walsh to provide the spark for the Warriors. Walsh has taken the competition by storm in 2021 and he will be key if his side can come away with an unlikely win. He comes up against one of the best in the game in Mitchell, and plenty of eyes will be on that intriguing battle.
KEY STAT
To make matters worse for the Warriors, they have won just one game against the Rabbitohs in their last 10 matches.
PREDICTION
This will be a tough clash for the Warriors. They’ve been hit hard by injuries and are facing a Rabbitohs team with genuine premiership aspirations. They should be able to hang in there but the Bunnies will be too good.
Rabbitohs by 14
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