Round 11: Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers preview
Saturday afternoon Rugby League heads to Accor Stadium and despite the contest reading a battle between 2nd and 17th, it's actually a contest with both the Rabbitohs and Tigers coming into the contest with some strong winning form.
It's been a strong season for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2023 as they sit in second spot across the first ten rounds with 7 wins and just the 3 losses for the season including big wins over the Broncos, Panthers and Storm in recent weeks.
The Rabbitohs come into the contest off another impressive performance at Magic Round running out impressive 28-12 winners over the Melbourne Storm. The defence of South Sydney was the most impressive part of their victory especially in the first half when Melbourne dominated possession during the first half especially after some ill-discipline on their own line. The second half was almost clinical from the Rabbitohs as they gave Melbourne no chance and the work of Cody Walker to exploit the defensive fragilities of the Victorians was excellent.
There are no changes for the Rabbitohs and it's not expected that there will be any changes to the 17 that took to the field last week.
As the saying goes "When it rains, it pours" and that's what has happened for the Wests Tigers especially after pulling off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory with their win in the torrential rain in Bathurst over the Panthers before a second straight victory last weekend against the Dragons at Magic Round.
The Tigers were hardly the most polished team of Magic Round in their 18-16 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons but they were a team with confidence and with things starting to click the world is at their feet. Things didn't start well for the Tigers with Englishman John Bateman ruled out in the warm-up but it started to click early for them as Luke Brooks picked up where he left off in Bathurst. The Tigers though did give up a 10-point lead at one stage but found the courage to fight back and re-take the lead before holding strong in defence.
Only the one change for the Tigers and as expected John Bateman has been brought back into the starting side after his warm-up injury last week. The return of Bateman sees Asu Kepaoa drop back to the bench with Alex Seyfarth the 18th man.
Last meeting: Round 12 2022 - Rabbitohs 44 Wests Tigers 18
Who to watch: There have been mentions of a return to the NSW State of Origin team for Cody Walker but whilst highly unlikely, a strong performance against the Tigers is not going to do the Rabbitohs number six any dangers of putting his name up for the team. The partnership between Walker and Latrell as well as Walker and his outside men in Tass and Johnston was something to behold last week and if the Tigers don't pay strong attention to Walker, it could be a long afternoon.
So much of the pressure of the Wests Tigers poor performances has been surrounding Luke Brooks, but one man that has slotted into the side in recent weeks with calm and poise has been Brandon Wakeham. A signing somewhat laughed at pre-season, Wakeham has had control of his game and in the big moments has pulled the right reign both against the Panthers and Dragons. If the Tigers want to get close and win the game, Wakeham's calm hand needs to stay.
Favourite: On overall form and squad strength, the Rabbitohs are heavy favourites for the contest and it's understandable the large gap between the teams.
My tip: This is one of those games that is a bit of a thorny bush, the form of the Rabbitohs says they should run up a score against the Tigers but over the past few seasons the Tigers have proved an issue for Souths. I think Souths have enough to win the contest but it might be a lot closer than what a lot of people are thinking. Souths by 10.
