Round 23: Broncos v Rabbitohs preview
Rabbitohs aim to bounce back after dropping out of the top four against the bumbling Broncos in the second part of the Friday night double-header.
Last Friday night was a euphoric experience for the Broncos fans as they battled hard and triumphed 24-12 over Penrith to buck themselves into seventh spot. Now the hard work begins against South Sydney that starts the run home, which includes key contests against Parramatta and Canterbury.
The path has been made harder with the twin suspensions of Tevita Pangai Junior and Jake Turpin, and a reshuffled backline featuring Alex Glenn at centre and the return of Sean O'Sullivan in the halves. Pangai's absence is softened with the return of veteran Matt Gillett, but the problem has been points for the Broncos all season.
Brisbane has only topped 30+ points once, reaching 29-points in another game, against the Sharks early in the season. The halves pairing of O'Sullivan and Darius Boyd has to guide the team around and get the ball to Corey Oates - the man is a feature on the scoresheet against Rabbitohs - and they will need points to get themselves into the top eight.
Meanwhile, three straight defeats has rocked Redfern. Souths have dropped to fifth spot and face the prospect of having to play an elimination game in week one despite a strong start to 2019. After this weekend they have a contest against the Warriors and then a spicy clash with the Roosters in the final round, which might determine their fate.
Last Saturday's loss to Canterbury is hopefully rock bottom for Wayne Bennett's side. The veteran coach called his club's slide "not terminal but it is close" and had a "brutal honesty session" during the week. Can that resuscitate their season? Maybe - but they need their big guns to also fire.
It is one Burgess in, one Burgess out - hokey pokey style - but Sam is a lightning rod for the Rabbitohs form. The mercurial forward will enjoy the challenge against young Haas and the platform laid by Sam might enough to get the Rabbitohs over the line and hopping happily into the finals.
Last meeting: Round 8 2019 - Rabbitohs 38 Broncos 6
Who to watch: Can a single magnificent young forward carry the Broncos to the finals? We might find out! Alongside Tevita Pangai Junior, Payne Haas has been a bright spot in the season. With Pangai out, Haas has to carry the load and the get forward. If he can make Suncorp the Haas of Pain for Souths - and get some help from the experienced heads in the Broncos side - we could see them topple the Rabbitohs.
The South Sydney attack hasn't looked at it's vintage best in recent weeks and this could be the game to turn them around. Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker will relish the chance. When the Rabbitohs are firing, Reynolds has the ball on the string and Walker is pushing up and just creating havoc - outside of the top four, they need those two to fire soon to get ready for the post-season.
The favourite: Souths are narrow favourites in this one, with recent form bringing the two sides a lot closer than most would anticipate.
My tip: Coming off three straight losses which has dropped them to fifth it is crunch time for the Rabbitohs. A game against the Broncos with a pair of key suspensions should see them cruise home. Rabbitohs by 18.
