Rabbitohs v Roosters
ANZ Stadium
Friday 7.30pm
THIS clash catapults the two dark horses in the 2008 premiership into battle from the opening whistle.
The Rabbitohs overachieved in the eyes of many last year, finishing seventh and making the finals for the first time in 18 years before being bumped off by eventual grand finalists Manly. And the Roosters underachieved horribly for most of 2007, before digging back respectability in spades following Brad Fittlers appointment as coach, which saw them incur just two losses from their final eight games to narrowly miss the top eight.
The game marks the first premiership outing in Roosters colours for ex-Bulldogs Mark OMeley and Willie Mason; given theyre not up against their old blue-and-white mates there wont be much pressure on the duo but that wont be the case for Craig Wing, who turns out against his old Roosters comrades for the first time, who will no doubt be keen to add just a little bit more oomph to every tackle.
The Rabbitohs head into the competition as arguably the standout performers from trial fixtures.
They easily accounted for the Sharks 44-0 in Gosford, with young playmaker Issac Luke and Wing starring, before wresting the Charity Shield off the Dragons 24-20 in an absorbing contest before 25,000 fans at ANZ Stadium.
The Roosters had an easy time against a north coast selection of teams in their first trial, running in 20 tries to romp home to a cumulative 102-4 in 90 minutes, with coach Fittler content to give fringe players the opportunity to press for selection. But their 34-18 loss to the Eels has them in a sober mood.
Watch out Rabbitohs!: Low-key combination Brent Grose and Setaimata Sa must be doing something right to keep the more-fancied Sam Perrett and Mitchell Aubusson in Premier League this week.
The 29-year-old Grose has just returned from the UK, where he was the Warrington Wolves Player of the Year in 2005; Sa played solidly in the trials and his 101kg bulk will be extremely useful out wide.
Watch out Roosters!: The mobile tandem combination of boom rookie Luke and new rabbit Wing has the potential to keep the Roosters on the back foot all night.
Last season Wing was ranked third for dummy-half runs (with 130) and topped line breaks from that position (with six). From only 14 games, Luke managed four dummy-half busts in 2007 with a full season in 2008 he would be expected to push for top honours in those stats categories.
Where it will be won: A quick scan of the forward talent on show and you dont have to be Nostradamus to realise both sides will use their big boppers to lay the platform for their smaller men to then run riot.
The Roosters in particular look like they have fashioned/bought/acquired however you want to phrase it the standout pack in the NRL: Mason, OMeley, Anthony Tupou, Craig Fitzgibbon, Nate Myles, not to mention David Shillington.
Roy Asotasi and David Kidwell are the rocks on which the Rabbitohs will rely, but theyll sorely miss David Faalogo, who remains suspended for striking the last time these teams met in round 25
The History: Played 195; Rabbitohs 103, Roosters 87, drawn 5. The honours swing the Roosters way theyve won six of the past eight clashes between the clubs, including the past two at ANZ Stadium; they won 26-12 there last year.
Conclusion: These clubs have a deep-seated rivalry: Wings decision to return to Redfern will fuel a classic encounter. But the Roosters at least on paper have too much heavy artillery.
Match Officials: Referee Tony Archer; Sideline Officials Steve Carrall & Matt Cecchin; Video Ref Bill Harrigan.
Televised: Chennel 9 Live 7.30pm (NSW), Delayed 9.30pm (Qld); FoxSports 3 Delayed 11.30pm.
Statistics NRL Stats
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=50020
