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The Roar

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WIZ: Rabbitohs are the real deal at last

South Sydney 's preparations for the World Club Series have been less than ideal. (AAP Image/ Action Photographics, Renee McKay)
Expert
2nd May, 2013
22

South Sydney are learning their lessons well. Two weeks ago they hosted the title yardstick Melbourne Storm and came away without the points, despite playing well enough to win that contest.

It was a big occasion match and, yet again, the Bunnies finished second.

Coach Michael Maguire knew something extra was needed if his team was going to live up to its heavyweight tag. Manly was the next cab off the rank and it was time for his men to play tough and play tough for 80 minutes.

Brookvale Oval was the venue and we saw exactly what South Sydney are capable of this year, with a sustained effort of steel and discipline against a fiery Manly outfit prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to snare the competition points.

The Wiz was highly impressed – impressed enough to say this South Sydney team can definitely make the grand final and maybe even win it.

They travelled to Brooky bent on putting their stamp on the 2013 season and if Melbourne opposed that same steely defence last Friday night, they would have gone home losers.

For my money, the Rabbitohs were always in control against a dangerous Manly side that invariably makes four of five clean breaks in a game.

Time and again they came up in a straight defensive line to snuff out the Eagles when tries looked imminent.

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Nobody came out of the line, which showed me Madge Maguire is getting his message through to the players. They are working out how to win the big stuff. They are looking like the real deal.

Greg Inglis never ceases to amaze me. The strength, speed and resilience of this man mountain is incredible.

The big question this week is: how do you stop Inglis without incurring the referee’s wrath, or get him to the ground and stop his momentum?

Teams should not try overly hard to put him on the deck. Get him surrounded by defenders, one or two should be able to halt his progress, with another joining in to lock up the ball.

Easier said than done as GI has one of the best fends I ever seen. Best of luck to the Brisbane Broncos tonight! It will be fascinating to see what tactics they have devised to nullify him.

Before closing, I have a big wrap on Souths halfback Adam Reynolds, who was the 2012 rookie of the year.

He is a kid with enormous talent but I believe he is playing well within himself as the Rabbitoh forward pack dominates and guys such as John Sutton and Inglis are causing damage wide of the ruck.

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The Wiz would love to see Reynolds take the ball to the line more often. He has an excellent pass and any number of eager giants to send through gaps.

When we see him as a more dominant figure, that’s when Souths’ fans can really begin talking about an end to the club’s premiership drought.

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