Josh Mercer previews the big clash between traditional rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
South Sydney Rabbitohs Vs Sydney Roosters
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Date: Friday March 25, 8:05pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesRabbbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jacob Host 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Liam Knight 18. Josh Mansour 19. Michael Chee Kam 20. Richard Kennar 21. Davvy Moale 22. Dean Hawkins 23. Peter Mamouzelos 24. Isaiah Tass
Taane Milne has been named at centre and Jaxon Paulo has been named on the wing. No one is out of the squad this week.
Embed from Getty ImagesRoosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Billy Smith 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Angus Crichton 17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 18. Lachlan Lam 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Naufahu Whyte 22. Adam Keighran 23. Renouf Atoni 24. Kevin Naiqama
Even though they had some concerns during the game, Sitili Tupouniua (HIA) and Joseph Manu (knee) both have been named in the side. Angus Crichton moves to the bench with Nat Butcher being promoted to the run-on side.
Referee: Grant Atkins
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
After what happened in last year’s game, this match will have plenty of feeling in it! Both teams are traditional rivals, and the games always deliver.
The Rabbitohs have had a winless start to the season. Though they nearly pulled off the win with a second-half comeback against the Storm. Without Adam Reynolds, they have looked lost at times. Like any new combination, Lachlan Ilias and Cody Walker will need time to get a combination going. With Latrell Mitchell back from suspension, the more time the spine spends together the better the team will be and the sooner they will start winning games.
The Roosters won their first game of the year last week against Manly. In the first half, they looked clinical with Sam Walker showing how good he can be. Their second half however was lacklustre. They really need to work on their wet weather football. Robinson’s decision to start Drew Hutchison proved to be a masterstroke, and it may happen again this week.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
The Rabbitohs have a better win record at Accor stadium than the Roosters. The Rabbitohs are at 57% while the Roosters are at 50%
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Roosters by 14.
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