Rabbitohs v Knights preview

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newcastle Knights
ANZ Stadium - Saturday 7:30pm

A do-or-die match for Newcastle against the reigning premiers.

After a hard fought victory over the Dragons at the SCG last Saturday night, the Rabbitohs return to ANZ Stadium in search of a win over Newcastle. With Issac Luke returning from suspension in place of Cameron McInnes, South Sydney will boast their strongest possible line-up since the opening rounds. Despite a poor record overall against the Knights, the Rabbitohs have dominated clashes in recent seasons, winning the past four, including a ten-try demolition in Cairns last year.

After experiencing one of the worst losing sequences in the clubs history, Newcastle produced a comprehensive 30-2 victory over the Gold Coast at home last week. Playing with renewed purpose, the Knights dominated the Titans to post only their second win in 13 matches since Easter. Despite leaving the game at halftime with a heart problem, Dane Gagai has been named in the centres alongside James McManus, in a move which allows impressive youngster Jake Mamo to retain his place in first grade after a series of strong performances so far in 2015. Adam Clydesdale will also return at hooker after last featuring for the Knights in Round 13, he replaces Tyler Randell who will miss the match following concussion sustained early on against the Titans. While it appears very unlikely, the Knights do have a slim chance of making a run for the finals if they can manage to go undefeated for the remainder of 2015.

Last Meeting: Round 21, 2014 - South Sydney Rabbitohs 50 Newcastle Knights 10

Who to watch: Having crossed for a hat-trick in his last encounter with the Knights, Alex Johnston will be keen to replicate the feat to extinguish their faint finals hopes. Maintaining a steady flow of tries throughout 2015, Johnston hasn't been as spectacular in his second season in first grade, but he will know if the Rabbitohs are to feature prominently in the play-offs he will have a major role to play.

Having announced his intention to retire at the end of 2015, Clint Newton will be keen to finish off his NRL career with a flurry of wins. Managing just five top grade appearances since returning last season, Newton performed admirably against the Titans last week to help the Knights to a much-needed win at home. While the likes of Robbie Rochow and the Sims brothers look set for big careers in the Newcastle forward pack, Newton still has plenty to offer in the twilight of his career.

The favourite: With four teams trailing them by just one win, the Rabbitohs are expected to draw closer to a top four finish with a win.

My tip: While the Knights produced their finest performance since the opening rounds last week, the Rabbitohs will prove a much harder proposition. Rabbitohs by 14.

1. Greg Inglis 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dylan Walker 4. Bryson Goodwin 5. Aaron Gray 6. Luke Keary 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Issac Luke 10. Tim Grant 11. Glenn Stewart 12. John Sutton 13. Chris McQueen
Interchange: 14. Ben Lowe 15. Chris Grevsmuhl 16. David Tyrrell 17. Thomas Burgess

1. Kurt Gidley 2. Jake Mamo 3. James McManus 4. Dane Gagai 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. Korbin Sims 11. Beau Scott 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. David Fa'alogo 16. Chris Houston 17. Clint Newton

Referees: Henry Perenara, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Steve Carrall, Rohan Best; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Luke Patten;

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