Josh Mercer previews the ANZAC Round clash between the Tiger and Rabbitohs.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Wests Tigers Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Venue: CommBank Stadium
Date: Saturday, April 23, 7:05pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesTigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. James Roberts 4. Starford To’a 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jackson Hastings 8. James Tamou 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Jock Madden 15. Alex Twal 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Luke Garner 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Jacob Liddle 20. Oliver Gildart 21. Tyrone Peachey 22. Tukimihia Simpkins 23. Austin Dias 24. Junior Tupou
Coach Michael Maguire has named the same 17 that gave the Tigers their first win for the season on Easter Monday.
Embed from Getty ImagesRabbitohs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Thomas Burgess 15. Jacob Host 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Knight 18. Siliva Havili 19. Isaiah Tass 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Richard Kennar 22. Dean Hawkins 23. Terrell Kalo Kalo 24. Jaxson Paulo
Davvy Moale comes into the 17 with Isaiah Tass staying in the squad but at 19. Hame Sele starts at prop while Thomas Burgess will start on the bench.
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Tigers pulled off an upset on Easter Monday with a win over the Parramatta Eels, their first for the season. The only thing that could have cost them the game last week was their discipline. They gave away cheap penalties which helped the Eels march downfield and it was lucky that the Eels couldn’t capitalise. This will be something they will need to fix up for this week.
After conceding the first try, the Rabbitohs kicked into gear to defeat the Bulldogs by 20 points. Their ball movement was smooth at times, making the Bulldogs look very ordinary. Damian Cook had an absolute field day, scoring a hat-trick. The only problem was the tries they conceded late in the game but it’s hardly a massive problem.
After the way they played last week, this is a very winnable game for the Tigers. Jackson Hastings led the team around very well. It took a lot of pressure off Luke Brooks, which meant he could pop up when needed and run the ball. Brooks looked like he was enjoying footy again which was good to see. The only thing that is a concern is their discipline: they won’t be able to give the Rabbitohs cheap metres like they did with the Eels.
The Rabbitohs have been playing good footy, even without Latrell Mitchell. They’re not like the Eels, so don’t expect them to drop their guard. Cook, Murray, and Walker were all in fine form last week: they’re not the sort of players to fold, so they will either make the Tigers earn the victory or make them pay badly.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
For a team that has conceded 126 points, the Tigers’ tackle efficiency sits at 88.8%.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Rabbitohs by 16.
Follow Nothing But Rugby League on Facebook
