08 :: R21 Sat :: Rabbitohs 18 Warriors 16 @ ANZ

[African Monkey]

You're lucky Hegs is out as well.

 

[gong_eagle]

Rabbitohs v Warriors Preview
NRL.com
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52199


ANZ Stadium
Saturday 7.30pm
WITH just six rounds to go, the finals hopes of the Rabbitohs have all but been extinguished but for the Warriors the dream is still well and truly alive – especially after a morale-boosting win over Melbourne.
As such, this clash is of super importance as they strive to continue a climb up the ladder but they’ll know full well it’s not a result to take for granted.
It wasn’t long ago, round 13 in fact, that a Rabbitohs side travelled to Auckland to play a team they hadn’t beaten since 1999 – and with a woeful season record of 1-10 – yet prevailed 35-28.
Now, for the Warriors, it’s payback time.
They are 10th on the NRL ladder, with only differential keeping them from the top eight. With teams in and around the periphery of the finals zone either playing each other or being favoured to lose, this shapes as the perfect chance to put themselves in the box seat.
Coach Ivan Cleary has kept the side that beat the Storm intact for the trip to Sydney.
Souths won’t have completely given up on the finals.
As Lloyd Christmas would say, even a one-in-a-million chance is still a chance, but they know the only hope is wins.
They welcome Issac Luke back from suspension to the side that fell to Newcastle, which leaves George Ndaira out in the cold, while David Kidwell has once again been named as 18th man. He could get a run this week as David Fa’alogo has to beat a judiciary charge to take his place in the side.
Watch out Rabbitohs: The Warriors will be directing plenty of attack to the left wing knowing it is a strength of theirs and a weakness of the Rabbitohs.
Big Sonny Fai has been lurking out in the left centre position for the Warriors in recent times and he’ll be set to get plenty of ball against the Rabbitohs considering the Warriors have now scored 21 tries on the left sideline compared to just nine on the right.
Adding to this imbalance is the fact the Bunnies have conceded 21 tries in this same area compared to 11 on the other side.
Watch out Warriors: Issac Luke returns from a week off determined to boost his form against the Warriors, particularly the Kiwi contingent as he tries to consolidate a spot in the New Zealand side for the upcoming World Cup.
Luke has busted an incredible 65 tackles this season, not bad for a guy half the size of most NRL players.
His 85 metres gained a match is high for a hooker, but shows he is a keen runner of the football. Plus he is much more elusive than the five line breaks he has posted this year would indicate.
Look for a big performance from the youngster.
Where it will be won: Up front.
The Warriors showed they can arm wrestle with the best by beating Melbourne in the wet last weekend and if they are to stay out of the rabbit trap they need to do the same to the Bunnies.
Souths have exuberance and flair out wide with the likes of Chris Sandow, Craig Wing, Jamie Simpson, Nathan Merritt, Fetuli Talanoa, Beau Champion and Luke Capewell, so if the Warriors try to play up-tempo, touch football they will be in danger of another high score line (like back in round 13) and therefore in danger of another loss.
It’s important the Warriors keep the game in the engine room and starve the Bunnies of field position, which should keep some of their flair out of the game.
The History: Played 18; Rabbitohs 4, Warriors 14.
The Rabbitohs broke a 12-game run by the Warriors against the red and green with a 35-28 victory in round 13 so they’ll be confident despite the lopsided history.
However, there have been just two games between the sides at ANZ Stadium – and the Warriors have won both.
Conclusion: If the Warriors are fair dinkum they’ll win this match.
They’ve proven themselves with a four-match winning streak but they are still playing catch-up on the top eight and this is a match they’re expected to win.
Should they drop these competition points it will be a long road to redemption.
But regardless of their underdog status you can expect the Rabbitohs to play entertaining football and with the young talent in the side, that is worth going along to see.
Match officials: Referee – Steve Lyons; Sideline Officials – Brett Suttor & Rod Lawrence; Video ref – Graeme West.
Televised: Fox Sports 2 – Delayed 9.30pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.

 

[wittyfan]

Cleary's not fair dinkum with his selections so Souths are in with a real shot.

 

[African Monkey]

Yes we are Witty.

 

[SSFC Hitman]

Fa'alogo has escaped suspension. thats a boost.

 

[BWNB]

Warriors 1-12

 

[hitman82]

I'm a huge fan of Fa'alogo, glad he is playing. The game needs more ruthless maniacs. If only Lauaki hadn't been dropped, it could have been very entertaining. Warriors don't really have any enforcers as such.

 

[God-King Dean]

Warriors by 20.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

If Vatuvei is in and he and Sonny Fai are on the left hand side, this could be a cricket score. We will have to stick Kidwell or Fa'alogo out in the centres to stop them. A Capewell, Simpson vs Vatuvei, Fai showdown will end up costing Souths about 40 points I reckon.

 

[wittyfan]

Interesting that Souths are so short at $2.05 to win given the recent form of both teams.

 

[wittyfan]

If Vatuvei is in and he and Sonny Fai are on the left hand side, this could be a cricket score. We will have to stick Kidwell or Fa'alogo out in the centres to stop them. A Capewell, Simpson vs Vatuvei, Fai showdown will end up costing Souths about 40 points I reckon.

If you keep bombing Vatuvei's wing you should have no worries!

 

[Esoj]

there's a rumour going around wade mckinnon could also be returning.

 

[Dr Crane]

I'm a huge fan of Fa'alogo, glad he is playing. The game needs more ruthless maniacs. If only Lauaki hadn't been dropped, it could have been very entertaining. Warriors don't really have any enforcers as such.

Lauaki is a f**king numpty.

 

[hitman82]

haha, maybe so but I respect his thuggery. We have so little niggle in our side. Lauaki's so entertaining

 

[Dr Crane]

I for one don't miss the stupid penalties, dropped balls and overall f**kwittery.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Apparently both Manu and McKinnon were on the plane going to sydney

Will be interesting, both would be down on match fitness

I am picking a close encounter, is the sort of match the Warriors have traditionally lost

 

[Esoj]

according to 2gb both vatuvei and mckinnon are expected to play.

 

[JB]

Lauaki is a f**king numpty.

Sione or Epalahame?

Built like brick sh*thouses and you wouldn't mess with either, but f**k, ball security is nothing but a nutcup to both of them!

 

[Fast Eddie]

f**k yeah Wadeo!

 

[byrne_rovelli_fan82]

Wadeo being with the team on their away trips is nothing unusual to be honest. I think he's been to al their away games just as a spectator, whose to say he might not do the same for this one? hehe.