Round 20: Rabbitohs v Roosters preview
Foundation foes face off in finals prelude
Finals football arrives a week early on Friday night as the seventh-placed South Sydney Rabbitohs host the third-placed Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium.
Relying on favourable results to secure a home ground advantage in the opening week of the finals, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will be out to atone for a shock loss last week.
Becoming only the third team to lose to the Bulldogs all year following a 26-16 defeat at home, coach Wayne Bennett will know prior to kick-off whether the Rabbitohs are in contention to secure a home final with the Knights facing the Titans earlier in the evening.
Needing to defeat the reigning premiers and hope the Knights lose to secure sixth position, the mistakes of last week look set to thrust the Rabbitohs into a hostile Elimination Final in Newcastle next week.
Holding a fierce rivalry against the Roosters dating back more than a century, the Rabbitohs have enjoyed a number of competitive clashes over the decade with ten wins from their past 21 meetings.
Recalling speedster Dane Gagai to the centres for his 200th NRL appearance, Patrick Mago comes into the side after Jadyn Su'A accepted a one-match ban for a careless high tackle.
Guaranteed to finish in the top four irrespective of the result on Friday night, the Sydney Roosters will be looking to build momentum with their sixth straight win.
Unable to finish higher than third after downing the Sharks 34-18 last Saturday, a win would see the reigning premiers face the Storm in a Qualifying Final at Suncorp Stadium next week. In the worse case scenario the side could finish fourth should they lose and the Eels triumph over the Tigers.
Returning to ANZ Stadium for the first time since last year's Grand Final, the Roosters have thrived at the Homebush venue winning 16 out of 22 appearances during coach Trent Robinson's tenure.
Boosted by the return of James Tedesco, Jake Friend, Sio Siua Taukieaho and Boyd Cordner after a week off, the final 17 may differ from the team named on Tuesday given Trent Robinson's history of resting players on the eve of the finals.
Last meeting: Round 3 2020 - Roosters 28 Rabbitohs 12
Who to watch: Managing one match in the past five weeks due to injury and suspension, speedster Dane Gagai will be hoping to mark his latest milestone with a win. Losing his debut, 50th, 100th and 150th matches in the NRL, the 29-year-old will be determined to defy history in his 200th appearance and put the Rabbitohs back on track heading towards the finals. Failing to score a try against the Roosters in 14 previous meetings throughout his career, Gagai will achieve a season best strike rate should he cross for a four-pointer on Friday evening.
Having shown plenty of promise since coming into the top grade two years ago, second-rower Sitili Tupouniua has enjoyed a breakout season for the Tricolours in 2020. Running for 76 metres to go with 25 tackles on average, the 23-year-old Tongan representative will be determined to prove he belongs in the premiers' best 17 during the business end of the season. Facing the possibility of being overlooked following the return of several established stars and the form of fellow emerging forward Lindsay Collins, look for Tupouniua to make his presence felt with a strong showing on the right edge.
The favourite: Eyeing off three consecutive wins over their rivals for the first time since 2017, the Roosters are expected to head into the finals in winning form.
My tip: Coming into the final round following five straight wins, the Roosters should have too much class for an improved Rabbitohs side. Roosters by 8.
