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Rabbitohs v Sharks Preview
Big League
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=50478
SOUTHS coach Jason Taylor said after last weeks loss to Manly that he was comfortable with being 0-4 to start the season because it gives his side a chance to show what they are made of.
However, if his side falls to their fifth straight loss against Cronulla this Monday night, that sinking feeling will have well and truly set in.
This match is the acid test for the Rabbitohs after their performance last Sunday against the Sea Eagles was described widely by commentators as one of the most inept attacking displays ever witnessed Taylor has since confessed to over-coaching his sides attack.
Having changed up his halves pairings after every match this season, interestingly he has stuck with Jeremy Smith and John Sutton again this week despite their distinct lack of involvement in the Manly debacle.
Cronulla, on the other hand, got out of jail with a grinding golden-point victory against the Dragons last week and coach Ricky Stuart will realise that this Monday night presents a danger game for his side.
Somewhat depleted by injury and suspension, the Sharks wont be looking to play pretty football; they are just looking for another two competition points to go with their three victories from four starts.
Watch out Rabbitohs: Sharks fullback Brett Kearney was outstanding in his teams local derby win last week, with his injection in attack a constant threat for opposition defences (a season-high 278 metres from 20 runs against the Dragons).
Kearney is a specialist at popping up where needed and is a brilliant support player for offloading forwards. Souths will have to tighten up their defence in the middle of the field and on the edges as Cronulla halves Brett Kimmorley and Greg Bird will be looking to put Kearney into space at every opportunity.
Watch out Sharks: Souths captain Roy Asotasi will be looking for a big match to try to lead his troops out of trouble. While trying hard, Asotasi hasnt been at his devastating best so far in 2008 and will be taking the hard times at Redfern personally.
If Asotasi can punch holes in the Sharks defence then watch for his mates in the forwards, including David Kidwell, to also fire up. With Paul Gallen, Ben Ross and Reece Williams out of the Cronulla pack, the Rabbitohs do have the ability to dominate up front.
Where it will be won: Based on the two teams respective performances so far this year, the Sharks will win this game in a canter if the Rabbitohs cant play for the full 80 minutes.
Souths have played patches of good football in most matches but havent been able to maintain consistent pressure with and without the ball.
Conversely, Cronulla have scored few points this season and have also dropped plenty of ball, but the one advantage they have over many teams is their ability to grind out a victory.
Last year they were losing these close games (nine by six points or less), but so far this season, their rock solid defence and a timely knack of scoring points when needed has seen them as a difficult team to beat (three wins by six points or less).
Last week the Souths defence wasnt too bad and points-wise, they were still in the contest against Manly for three-quarters of the match.
However, terrible options in attack meant they never looked like scoring points and self-destructed time and time again.
The Rabbitohs are clearly lacking confidence and if they can mount points early in the match then they might just rediscover the form that took them to last years finals series.
Cronullas danger is taking the Rabbitohs easy and becoming too fancy with the football. The key for the Shire men is to stick to basics.
The History: Played 70; Sharks 37, Rabbitohs 30, drawn 3. South Sydney last year won the only game played between the two teams at ANZ Stadium, winning16-12.
Conclusion: Cronulla will want as many wins on the board as possible before suspended captain Paul Gallen returns to the team. A loss against a battling team like the Rabbitohs has the potential to send them into the spiral which they have plummeted into in previous seasons.
Winning this Monday will keep them on par with the competition leaders and further prove that they are a force to be reckoned with contenders dont lose matches like this one.
Souths have a long road back as it is missing key players Craig Wing, Issac Luke and now Michael Greenfield for an indefinite period without losing a fifth straight match.
After making such vast improvements in their game last season it would be a shame to see all that hard work undone. They need desperately to recapture the spirit and enthusiasm which saw them through last year.
Match officials: Referee Jason Robinson; Sideline Officials Gerard Sutton & Paul Holland; Video ref Steve Clark.
Televised: FoxSports 2 Live 7pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
Big League
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=50478
SOUTHS coach Jason Taylor said after last weeks loss to Manly that he was comfortable with being 0-4 to start the season because it gives his side a chance to show what they are made of.
However, if his side falls to their fifth straight loss against Cronulla this Monday night, that sinking feeling will have well and truly set in.
This match is the acid test for the Rabbitohs after their performance last Sunday against the Sea Eagles was described widely by commentators as one of the most inept attacking displays ever witnessed Taylor has since confessed to over-coaching his sides attack.
Having changed up his halves pairings after every match this season, interestingly he has stuck with Jeremy Smith and John Sutton again this week despite their distinct lack of involvement in the Manly debacle.
Cronulla, on the other hand, got out of jail with a grinding golden-point victory against the Dragons last week and coach Ricky Stuart will realise that this Monday night presents a danger game for his side.
Somewhat depleted by injury and suspension, the Sharks wont be looking to play pretty football; they are just looking for another two competition points to go with their three victories from four starts.
Watch out Rabbitohs: Sharks fullback Brett Kearney was outstanding in his teams local derby win last week, with his injection in attack a constant threat for opposition defences (a season-high 278 metres from 20 runs against the Dragons).
Kearney is a specialist at popping up where needed and is a brilliant support player for offloading forwards. Souths will have to tighten up their defence in the middle of the field and on the edges as Cronulla halves Brett Kimmorley and Greg Bird will be looking to put Kearney into space at every opportunity.
Watch out Sharks: Souths captain Roy Asotasi will be looking for a big match to try to lead his troops out of trouble. While trying hard, Asotasi hasnt been at his devastating best so far in 2008 and will be taking the hard times at Redfern personally.
If Asotasi can punch holes in the Sharks defence then watch for his mates in the forwards, including David Kidwell, to also fire up. With Paul Gallen, Ben Ross and Reece Williams out of the Cronulla pack, the Rabbitohs do have the ability to dominate up front.
Where it will be won: Based on the two teams respective performances so far this year, the Sharks will win this game in a canter if the Rabbitohs cant play for the full 80 minutes.
Souths have played patches of good football in most matches but havent been able to maintain consistent pressure with and without the ball.
Conversely, Cronulla have scored few points this season and have also dropped plenty of ball, but the one advantage they have over many teams is their ability to grind out a victory.
Last year they were losing these close games (nine by six points or less), but so far this season, their rock solid defence and a timely knack of scoring points when needed has seen them as a difficult team to beat (three wins by six points or less).
Last week the Souths defence wasnt too bad and points-wise, they were still in the contest against Manly for three-quarters of the match.
However, terrible options in attack meant they never looked like scoring points and self-destructed time and time again.
The Rabbitohs are clearly lacking confidence and if they can mount points early in the match then they might just rediscover the form that took them to last years finals series.
Cronullas danger is taking the Rabbitohs easy and becoming too fancy with the football. The key for the Shire men is to stick to basics.
The History: Played 70; Sharks 37, Rabbitohs 30, drawn 3. South Sydney last year won the only game played between the two teams at ANZ Stadium, winning16-12.
Conclusion: Cronulla will want as many wins on the board as possible before suspended captain Paul Gallen returns to the team. A loss against a battling team like the Rabbitohs has the potential to send them into the spiral which they have plummeted into in previous seasons.
Winning this Monday will keep them on par with the competition leaders and further prove that they are a force to be reckoned with contenders dont lose matches like this one.
Souths have a long road back as it is missing key players Craig Wing, Issac Luke and now Michael Greenfield for an indefinite period without losing a fifth straight match.
After making such vast improvements in their game last season it would be a shame to see all that hard work undone. They need desperately to recapture the spirit and enthusiasm which saw them through last year.
Match officials: Referee Jason Robinson; Sideline Officials Gerard Sutton & Paul Holland; Video ref Steve Clark.
Televised: FoxSports 2 Live 7pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
