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Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs highlights: NRL scores, blog

31st March, 2016
Kickoff: 8:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: Brookvale Oval
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Sea Eagles 28-8 Rabbitohs (Round 22, 2015)
Head-to-head: Sea Eagles 18, Rabbitohs 12
Sea Eagles last three games: 22-20 vs Roosters, 22-12 vs Sharks, 22-36 vs Wests Tigers
Rabbitohs last three games: 12-42 vs Bulldogs, 6-8 vs Dragons, 48-6 vs Knights

Manly Sea Eagles
1. Brett Stewart, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Jamie Lyon (c), 4. Steve Matai, 5. Tom Trbojevic, 6. Dylan Walker, 7. Apisai Koroisau, 8. Nate Myles, 9. Matt Parcell, 10. Brenton Lawrence, 11. Martin Taupau, 12. Feleti Mateo, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Lewis Brown, 15. Josh Starling, 16. Darcy Lussick, 17. Siosaia Vave, 18. Blake Leary, 21. Luke Burgess

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Greg Inglis (c), 2. Kirisome Auva’a, 3. Bryson Goodwin, 4. Hymel Hunt, 5. Aaron Gray, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Luke Keary, 8. George Burgess, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Sam Burgess, 11. Chris Grevsmuhl, 12. Kyle Turner, 13. Nathan Brown
Interchange: 14. Damien Cook, 15. Jason Clark, 16. David Tyrrell, 17. Thomas Burgess, 18. Paul Carter, 19. Michael Oldfield
South Sydney travel across the Spit Bridge to take on Manly for Thursday night footy. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renee McKay)
Roar Guru
31st March, 2016
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Match result:

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have held on for a four-point win after the Manly Sea Eagles put serious pressure on the Bunnies’ defensive line for most of the game.

Michael Maguire’s team had a strong opening 20 minutes, with Manly’s defense letting in two soft tries – to Cameron McInnes, with Cody Walker going through the line soon after.

Former Rabbitoh Dylan Walker hit back to get the Sea Eagles on the board after he found a gap. Despite a late charge in the first half, Manly were unable to score again, going into the halftime break down 16-6.

Led by Apisai Koroisau, who was filling in for Daly Cherry-Evans at halfback as the State of Origin representative was absent through a syndesmosis injury, Manly spent the majority of the second half deep inside South Sydney’s half, with the Rabbitohs barely getting a chance to crack the Sea Eagles’ line.

Koroisau was rewarded after darting through the line with some scintillating play.

The Sea Eagles had plenty more opportunities to score but were unable to close the gap, Souths holding on to their early lead after 60 minutes of Manly attack.

McInnes stood out for the Rabbitohs, leading tackling and scoring two tries, while Luke Keary was also strong.

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Koroisau and Walker were strong in the halves all game, while Siosaia Vave put in a great performance in limited time.

South Sydney face off against the Roosters next Friday night, while Manly head to Auckland to meet the Warriors.

Final score
Manly Sea Eagles 12
South Sydney Rabbitohs 16

Match preview:

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will be hoping to get back in the winners circle when they head to Brookvale Oval to take on the Manly Sea Eagles for the opening game of Round 5. Join The Roar from 8:05pm (AEDT) for live coverage.

Trent Barrett’s Sea Eagles have won two games in a row, over the Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters.

Their meeting with Souths will be their third match in 11 days, while the Rabbitohs are playing their third in 12.

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Manly will be without Daly Cherry-Evans, who has suffered a high ankle sprain, seeing Apisai Koroisau partner Dylan Walker in the halves. Martin Taupau returns from suspension, with Steve Matai and Brenton Lawrence also joining the side. Lewis Brown and Josh Starling shift to the bench and Jamie Buhrer will miss the match after injuring his hand against the Roosters.

South Sydney are boosted by the return of English dual-international Sam Burgess, who missed the Rabbitohs’ 42-12 Good Friday loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs with a neck injury.

Burgess was impressive in the opening rounds of the competition since returning from a short stint with Bath Rugby. Burges earned an England Test jersey, and appeared in the motherland’s failed Rugby World Cup campaign on home soil.

The 2014 Clive Churchill medallist was missed last week, with Souths looking thin up front. Going into the second half down 32-0, Souths’ pride was saved by two late tries to Michael Oldfield and Chris Grevsmuhl.

Burgess’ brother Tom also returns for the Bunnies, with Paul Carter pushed to an extended bench.

Souths will, however, still be without Adam Reynolds, John Sutton, Alex Johnston and rookie Zane Musgrove, while Bryson Goodwin is also in doubt with a groin injury.

30 fixtures have been played between the two clubs since 1998, with Manly having won 18 matches to the Bunnies’ 12.

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Both sides managed a win each in 2015, with the Rabbitohs taking a 20-8 victory in Round 16, before the Sea Eagles sprung back to grab a 28-8 win in Round 22.

Prediction
Sam Burgess will lift Souths to their first win since defeating the Newcastle Knights 48-6 back in Round 2.

Rabbitohs by 18.

Join The Roar from 8:05pm (AEDT) for score updates and debate in our live blog.

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