Josh Mercer previews the big clash between heated rivals the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Here’s what we have to look forward to.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Sydney Roosters Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Date: Friday, March 17, 8:00 pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Drew Hutchison 16. Terrell May 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Naufahu Whyte 19. Ben Thomas 20. Sandon Smith 21. Corey Allan 22. Siua Wong
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Hame Sele 16. Davvy Moale 17. Shaq Mitchell 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Ben Lovett 21. Taane Milne 22. Peter Mamouzelos
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Historically, the Roosters have struggled when taking on the Warriors. Last Saturday was no different. After getting out to an 8-nil lead, the Warriors pulled it back with a try to only be two points behind at halftime. After the break, the Roosters scored two tries to jump to a 12-point lead. The Warriors scored another try through Addin Fonua-Blake, but it wasn’t enough, as Sam Walker iced the win with a penalty goal.
The Rabbitohs went into enemy territory ready to knock off the Panthers, but the defending premiers had other plans. The Panthers were too good, winning by six. Rabbitohs mounted a comeback, but they ran out of time.
Who can forget last year’s ‘Sin bin Sunday’? It would not only still; be in the players’ and fans’ minds. On that fateful day, seven players were sent to the bin as the Roosters crashed out of the finals. The players know what to do; they need to play hard, but not as hard as that day. The Roosters will be boosted with the return of Victor Radley and Jared Waerea-Hargraves. New signing Brandon Smith has been cleared of a rib injury to play.
Souths will need to be on from the outset. They left it way too late to run down the Panthers. They have proven match winners in Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker. Lachlan Ilias is showing that he is a first-grade halfback capable of leading the team around. Tevita Tatola returns after missing last week’s clash in a boost to the forward pack. Bench forward Heme Sele returns to the bench, along with Davvy Moale. Daniel Suluka Fifita drops to the reserves.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Roosters 3, Rabbitohs 7.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Rabbitohs by 16
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