Round 20: Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers preview
Super Saturday for the NRL will open at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford, as the South Sydney Rabbitohs ready to take on Wests Tigers.
Going down to the Dolphins last round 36-28, the Bunnies didn't look the worst team but lacked intensity at the beginning and had to play catch up. Coach Ben Hornby was happy the team could apply pressure at the game's back end but felt they could have done more early to get ahead. The Rabbitohs have been in form, and this loss put an end to their five-game winning streak. Hornby singled out Jye Gray for playing a great game at fullback and says he looks forward to Gray taking ownership of that spot for the next few weeks while Latrell Mitchel is injured.
The game in Gosford will be a milestone for Damien Cook as he runs out for his 200th NRL game. Jai Arrow has been playing lame for weeks and will be out of the team for the year after much-needed surgery. Pending his fitness after Origin Three this week, Cameron Murray will come into the back row.
The Wests Tigers had one of their worst performances last round. With a mauling at the hands of Cronulla 58-6. Coach Benji Marshall apologised to the fans at the post-match press conference. Marshall conceded that his team was outplayed in all areas on the field and that it was a mindset he had not experienced yet.
Ill discipline and a lack of intensity meant the Tigers were never in the game. And with some injuries to key players at the end of the game rubbing salt into widening wounds.
Api Koroisau has been named in the reserves due to a calf injury, with Tallyn Da Silva taking on hooker duties. Luke Laulilii will run on at wing for injured Alex Lobb; Alex Twal returns from a head knock, while Alex Seyfarth will sit out a game due to concussion protocols.
Last meeting: Round 22 2023 - Wests Tigers 18 Rabbitohs 32
Who to watch: Souths' halves are clicking, and Cody Walker was pretty adamant in the post-match presser about where they went wrong and how they could fix it. Walker and Jack Wighton have. It has been a solid combination for the Rabbitohs, and a solid performance from these two will filter through the rest of the team. Damien Cook will run out for his 200th game, and the speedy number 9 will come into it with some form. Firm in defence and sneaky in attack, Cook is probably ready to serve up a master class against the less experienced Tallyn Da Silva this round. Cooks' effort around the ruck will likely look to exploit the Wests' forwards if they mimic their last-round performance. If Cameron Murray fronts up after Origin, he will put his hand up as ever to go forward for Souths all night. Murray loves to hit space at speed, and we will see him asking questions of the West's defence all night. Jye Gray has some shoes to fill and will be out to impress again. The speedy fullback may lack size but has been shown to make up for it with inspirational plays and a hunger for the ball. Like any fullback worth his weight, Gray is always shadowing the ball in case his teammates bust the line. If Alex Johnston or Jacob Gagi finds some space, expect to see Gray in support.
At this stage, Aidan Sezer and Lachlan Galvin will have to find some dexterity in their attack and try to trouble the Souths with their kicking game. They may pressure the fresh talent, Jye Gray, possibly exploiting a height advantage in their backs against the nuggety Souths fullback. Adam Doueihi will have to step up as one of the club leaders. His first game back from injury was inspiring a few rounds ago, and the team needs some inspiration to at least be competitive after last round's performance. Doueihi was one of the better players in the previous round, being the only player to get past 100 run meters for the game. He has the ability he needs the team to get on board. With Alex Seyfarth out for the game, they must rely on some fire in the middle from John Bateman. Not one to shy away from the challenge; it's the Englishman's fire in defence that can spur the team to keep it the game. With all the talk about Stefano Utoikamanu, the club needs to see the talented forward take the Souths' pack on in attack. Utoikamanu is critical to Wests laying a foundation in the middle, allowing the halves the ball to backs like Charlie Staines and Jahream Bula.
FAVOURITE: The Tigers are yet to show any real threat in the competition. They have leaked 138 points in their last three games. Off the back of one of their worst performances this year, they are not considered in the winner's circle.
MY TIP: Souths have been playing well and were right in the game against an in-form Dolphins outfit in the last round. Judging by the spirit of some of their top players, they are likely to take Wests to town. Souths by 18.
