Round 3: Rabbitohs v Roosters preview
Rugby League's oldest rivalry set to heat up
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will face the Sydney Roosters on Friday night at Stadium Australia in what will add a new chapter to the book of feuds. Souths hooker Damien Cook ramped up the stakes for the round 3 clash, stating that Latrell Mitchell was a better fullback than NSW teammate James Tedesco. With pride and supremacy to play for, this game looks set to be a belter.
Souths got the job done last week in the wet against a dismal Manly side who are in poor form. Still though they were able to get the job done in tough conditions and Latrell Mitchell backed up his round 1 performance with another promising game at the back. He will need to be near hist best on Friday night.
The Roosters are coming off of a round 2 win against the Wests Tigers, having now posted forty or more points in the opening rounds of the competition. They looked to be in fantastic touch with Luke Keary, James Tedesco and Dally-M leader Brett Morris all firing to begin the year. They haven't really been tested by a top opponent yet though, having played the current bottom two teams in Manly and the Tigers. Friday night will be their first real test against quality opposition.
In team news, the Rabbitohs have recalled winger Josh Mansour this week after being dropped from the side in round 2. Other than that, Wayne Bennett has named no changes to his side that took down the Sea Eagles last Saturday.
The Roosters welcome a huge inclusion this week, with Victor Radley set to return from an ACL injury off the bench. Angus Crichton also returns from suspension this week, after a crusher tackle ruled him out last week. Nat Butcher moves back to the bench, with Drew Hutchison and Fletcher Baker, who scored a try on debut last week, missing out on the side.
Last meeting: Round 20 2020 - Rabbitohs 60 Roosters 8
Who to watch: It will be interesting to see how Latrell Mitchell fairs this week against his former club. Mitchell needs consistency at the back this season to really assert himself as a top-line fullback capable of playing week-to-week football there. If he can string three solid games together in a row, he may just be able to silence the critics.
It's the battle of the fullbacks this week, with James Tedesco no doubt looking for a big game after Blues teammate Damien Cook's comments about Mitchell being the better fullback of the two during the week. With two outstanding performances to begin the season, Tedesco will be looking to continue his form and get the better of his opposing number 1.
The favourite: The Roosters are favourites to win this encounter between the two rival clubs.
My tip: This contest won't be anything like the Rabbitohs' 60-8 drubbing of the Roosters late last year. There is a bit at stake here for both teams and the Roosters will be looking for revenge against their traditional rivals. It should be close, but with the return of Victor Radley, the Roosters should come out over the top. Sydney Roosters by 4.
