Rabbitohs v Titans preview

v BYE at

Souths look for consistency against plucky Gold Coast

South Sydney take their annual game to Perth this weekend against a determined Gold Coast side that has surprised many people with their performances in season 2016. Souths have been taking games to Perth since 2009 and it has been met with a lot of positivity by the locals with 3 of the last 4 matches drawing more than 20,000 fans. With both sides finding some form of late, expect to see another big crowd on Sunday night. The Bunnies have recorded two wins and a bye from their last 3 fixtures to move themselves withing striking distance of the top 8. They have looked very impressive with Greg Inglis in the halves and the talented Cody Walker playing at Fullback. Their defence is still an issue but if their attack is firing on all cylinders then Souths should cause plenty of problems for the Titans.

The Gold Coast Titans have been the quiet achievers in season 2016. After a blistering start to the season they fell away, only to come back into form in the last few weeks. The standout performances by young halves Tyrone Roberts and Ash Taylor has been a pleasure to watch and with those two steering the ship there is hope for years to come for the Titans. Gold Coast are in solid form much like the Rabbitohs. 6 points from their last 3 fixtures including a 26-6 drubbing of the Sydney Roosters and a last gasp 28-24 win over Penrith a fortnight ago leaves them just one spot behind Souths on the ladder.

Both these clubs had the bye last week and will be intriguing to see how that has affected them and whether it hinders or helps them for Sunday's clash.

Last meeting: Round 12 2015 - Titans 16 Rabbitohs 22

Souths have exuded absolute dominance over the Gold Coast Titans of late by winning 7 of the past 8 matches. Souths lead the all time count 8-5. At Perth's NIB Stadium, Souths have won 5 of 7 games played there.

Who to watch: Look out for the talented Greg Inglis to play out of his skin again for the Rabbits after his solid showing in State of Origin on Wednesday Evening. After his move to Five Eighth three weeks ago Inglis has been able to get his hands on the ball more than he was at Fullback and has been able to find some space out wide on the edges. His performance against Parramatta was vintage Inglis. Look for him to expose the spaces on the edge and I have no doubts that he'll target rookie centre Nathan Davis from the Titans. Inglis's stats this season are nothing to baulk at (especially for a player that has been out of form): 2 tries, 3 try assists, 6 line breaks and averaging 140 metres a game, this spells trouble for opposing defence's if he works his way back into form!

For the Gold Coast side, Ash Taylor will need to continue his brilliant start to the season if the Titans are to walk away from Perth with the two competition points. In particular, Taylor's short kicking game will need to be pin point against the talented outside backs of South Sydney who will be ensuring that he is pressured all evening. For a player in his first year of the NRL, Taylor has had a very impressive season thus far: 3 tries, 17 goals, 6 try assists and 4 line breaks. An interesting note to this is Taylor averaging 18 tackles a game which is unusually high for a half. Souths will send defence his way a lot on Sunday so he'll need to be at his best defensively. Look for a huge performance from the Queenslander again this weekend. 

The favourite: Souths warm favourites heading into this clash across the Nullarbor.

My tip: As much as I want to tip a Gold Coast upset in this clash, it's near impossible to bet against Souths considering their solid form of late and their strong record at NIB Stadium. The Titans forward pack will be tested against the Rabbitohs huge pack. The Titans have done very well this season but their inexperience may work against them in what should be a tight and exciting affair! Souths by 6.

1. Cody Walker 2. Alex Johnston 3. Kirisome Auva'a 4. Bryson Goodwin 5. Dane Nielsen 6. Greg Inglis 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Nathan Brown 11. Paul Carter 12. Kyle Turner 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14. Luke Keary 15. Jason Clark 17. David Tyrrell 19. Siosifa Talakai

1. William Zillman 2. Anthony Don 3. Josh Hoffman 4. Nathan Davis 5. Nene Macdonald 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ashley Taylor 17. Luke Douglas 9. Nathan Friend 10. Ryan James 11. Zeb Taia 12. Chris McQueen 13. Greg Bird
Interchange: 14. Nathan Peats 15. Leivaha Pulu 16. Agnatius Paasi 19. Eddy Pettybourne

Referees: Grant Atkins, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Jon Stone; Video Referees: Luke Patten, Matt Cecchin, Bryan Norrie