Round 19: Rabbitohs v Storm preview
The Melbourne Storm attempt to end their losing streak as the defending minor premiers head to Sydney to take on the in-form South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The Storm suffered their third straight defeat for the first time in seven years after a narrow four-point loss to the Canberra Raiders on Sunday afternoon. If the loss wasn't painful enough, a season ending injury to Ryan Papenhuyzen would've left fans in despair after he fractured his kneecap during the first half of the game. It hasn't been a pleasant three weeks for Craig Bellamy and his side, as they've slipped from their cushy second place into fourth with the Broncos, Eels and Rabbitohs hot on their heels. This makes Saturday's game all the more important as they look to retain their spot in the top four.
There were some signs of improvement for the Storm, who looked more threatening than they have over the past few weeks, breaking 43 tackles and making six line breaks as they did their best to break through the scrambling Raiders defence. However, the usually pristine defence of the Storm has slipped, conceding 20 points or more in each of their last four matches as they now boast the fourth best defence in the competition. This is by no means poor in relation to the rest of the competition, but by Melbourne Storm standards, this slip in defence is alarming. As is their record against the three teams that sit above them. Penrith and North Queensland defeated Melbourne convincingly in their only matchups this season, whilst the Cronulla Sharks responded from their loss to the Storm earlier in the year with a win of their own in Round 17.
A combination of injuries and a lack of experience and chemistry in the back five have left the Storm thin and are a potential cause for their slip in defence. The back five have been made even thinner with the loss of Papenhuyzen and they face a tough challenge this week, coming up against a firing outside back group led by Latrell Mitchell. This leaves an even bigger load for the halves and forwards to carry and they'll no doubt look to their stars in the number six, seven and nine jersey to turn things around this week, which they are more than capable of doing.
With Papenhuyzen out for the season, Nick Meaney will take over fullback duties this week and most likely for the rest of the season. Tyran Wishart starts on the wing with Grant Anderson taking his spot on the bench.
The Rabbitohs have been on a point scoring tear in recent weeks, scoring 30 points or more in five of their last six games. They've won all five of those games with the only loss coming at the hands of the St. George Illawarra Dragons who destroyed them in the opening half. However, their attack has look superb since the return of Latrell Mitchell in Round 16. The 25-year-old fullback has scored a try, assisted five and broken 22 tackles in his last three games and he'll no doubt prove to be a handful for the Storm outside backs as he looks to push the Rabbitohs up the competition ladder.
It took all of Mitchell's talent and a hat trick from Alex Johnston to give the Rabbioths the victory on the weekend after the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs nearly came away with an upset victory. Three tries in the final ten minutes ensured the Rabbitohs would keep their neat form up as they hunt for an important top four spot. A win this weekend against the current fourth placed side would do them a world of good in that hunt. The return of Damien Cook and Cameron Murray will no doubt help their cause and add extra strength to an inform forward pack.
A member of that forward pack who has been exceptional over the past two months is Tevita Tatola who has become an even more valued member of the Rabbitohs over the course of the season. The 25-year-old middle forward has eclipsed 150 running metres in five of his last seven starts including a mammoth 234 run metres, 82 post contact metres and 33 tackles in their victory over the Bulldogs on Sunday. Tatola was great in Souths' earlier meeting with the Storm racking up just shy of 150 run metres in their golden point loss which will give Souths' the confidence that they can one up their opponents this weekend. However, their defence this season has been leaky, conceding 20 points or more on eight occasions and that'll be something that the Storm look to exploit.
With the return of Cook and Murray, Taane Milne and Daniel Suluka-Fifita return to reserve grade as Jed Cartwright moves from the bench to claim a spot in the centres.
Last meeting: Round 2 2022 - Storm 15 Rabbitohs 14
Who to watch: This could be one of the most exciting matches of the round given the talent on display, particularly in the spine. Both sides' number sixes are two of the best at their craft and will no doubt be ready to trade metaphorical blows this Saturday. Cody Walker, the Bunnies' six, has been in great form over the past three weeks, scoring three tries and assisting a further four, having played a large role in his sides' victories in those three weeks. The former Blue took some time getting accustomed to playing next to rookie halfback Lachlan Ilias after years of playing alongside Adam Reynolds. After a poor performance against Melbourne earlier in the year, Walker will be licking his lips at the opportunity to secure the two-points against the defending minor premiers. His opposing five-eighth was once again elusive in their loss to the Raiders on the weekend, breaking four tackles and running for 180 metres. After missing out in Queensland's Origin victory due to COVID-19, Munster will be searching for his first win since Round 15. Munster has been exceptional this season and is regarded as one of the best players in the game and his numbers back it up. Seven tries, 12 try assists, 66 tackle breaks and 133.6 running metres per game for the Queensland six in his 12 appearances this season show why he's one of the best. Not to mention his man of the match performance in Origin Game 1 which gave the Queenslanders the 1-0 lead. Hopefully we get to see the best from both of these exciting players this Saturday night at Accor Stadium.
The favourite: Melbourne are slight favourites for Saturday's clash against the Bunnies' despite their current losing streak. The Storm have a current seven game win streak over Souths' dating back to 2018. The Rabbioths have only defeated the Storm in five of the 31 matches between the two sides and lost earlier in the season in golden point.
My tip: This one is hard to tip given the form of the Bunnies' and the fact that the Storm must snap this streak eventually. The loss of Papenhuyzen will hurt the Storm but if Munster, Hughes and Grant can all perform, it'll be tough for the Rabbitohs to win. Mitchell does have a history of kicking clutch field goals against the Storm and he might be required to do so again on Saturday. Storm to snap the streak. Melbourne by 2.
