Josh Mercer previews the clash between bitter rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters. This is what we have to look forward to.
Embed from Getty ImagesTEAM NEWS
Venue: Stadium Australia, Date: Friday, March 26, Time: 8:05pm
Rabbitohs Team
- Latrell Mitchell
- Alex Johnston
- Dane Gagai
- Campbell Graham
- Josh Mansour
- Cody Walker
- Adam Reynolds
- Thomas Burgess
- Damien Cook
- Tevita Tatola
- Keaon Koloamatangi
- Jaydn Su’A
- Cameron Murray
- Benji Marshall
- Mark Nicholls
- Patrick Mago
- Jai Arrow
- Jacob Host
- Tautau Moga
- Troy Dargan
- Steven Marsters
Team Changes
IN: Jacob Host, Josh Mansour, Steven Marsters Tautau Moga, Troy Dargan
OUT: Jaxson Paulo
Roosters Team
- James Tedesco
- Daniel Tupou
- Josh Morris
- Joseph Manu
- Brett Morris
- Lachlan Lam
- Luke Keary
- Lindsay Collins
- Freddy Lussick
- Siosiua Taukeiaho
- Angus Crichton
- Sitili Tupouniua
- Isaac Liu
- Victor Radley
- Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
- Nat Butcher
- Daniel Suluka-Fifita
- Drew Hutchison
- Matt Ikuvalu
- Sam Walker
- Fletcher Baker
Team Changes
IN: Angus Crichton, Matt Ikuvalu, Sam Walker, Victor Radley OUT:
Referee: Ashley Klein
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Rabbitohs
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Rabbitohs were victorious against the Sea Eagles on a wet day at Brookvale Oval. They lost halfback Adam Reynolds due to an HIA but had a pretty decent back up in veteran Benji Marshall. While they didn’t put the Sea Eagles away until late in the game, they showed enough to send shivers down the spines of other sides.
Roosters
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Roosters showed again there is a big divide between certain teams, even after two rounds, when they beat the Tigers 40-6. Players like Keary, Tedesco and the Morris twins had a field day with the bounce of the ball going their way.
PREVIEW
The Rabbitohs won 60-8 the last time these teams met, and it’s burned deep in the minds of Roosters players and fans. The Rabbitohs will be confident going into the match, especially since Reynolds has been cleared to play, and they will hoping to build on their win against the Sea Eagles last week.
The Roosters will be looking to keep their momentum going from their first two wins. The Rabbitohs present a stiffer challenge than what the Sea Eagles and Tigers presented and they need the key players such as Keary, Tedesco and the Morris twins to be firing on all cylinders if they hope to get the two competition points.
KEY STAT
Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 12 tries against the Roosters including a five-try haul in last year’s final round demolition.
PREDICTION
Roosters by eight.
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