Roar Guru
A vastly depleted competition leading South Sydney Rabbitohs take on a Parramatta Eels side desperate for a win at ANZ Stadium. Join us for live scores and updates form 3.00pm AEST.
Nobody was happier than me for Nathan Merritt to get his long overdue State of Origin call up.
But it does mean the Rabbitohs will be without the man who scored five tries in a game playing fullback at this venue, against this opposition.
Queensland Origin trio Ben Teo, Greg Inglis and Chris McQueen will also be missing as will George Burgess, who went into Hulk mode whilst in Cairns.
His twin brother will replace him and nobody will notice.
Parramatta will be without injured fullback Jarryd Hayne, though he’d be missing through rep duty if he were fit, regardless.
The Eels have been starting strongly and showing a lot of promise in recent games, but then fading towards the end of matches.
They took a commanding lead into the break last week against Cronulla, but were run down comfortably in the second half.
A tryfest in Cairns saw both the Bunnies and the Titans turn on the flair with some exquisite tries, with Dylan Walker’s effort being a contender for try of the season.
It’s certain we’ll see some tries tomorrow and I doubt it will be a low scoring affair.
Last time these two sides met was back in Round 25 last season, when the Rabbitohs handed out a 38-6 hiding at ANZ Stadium.
Souths have held the edge over the Eels in recent times, winning the last five against the Eels but without many of their stars, it will be a pretty even contest.
Can the Eels spring an upset, or will the Rabbitohs strengthen their hold on top spot on the NRL ladder?
Join us at around 2.45pm AEST for all the team news and line-ups and find out.