NRL action comes to the Central Coast as the Manly Sea Eagles take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a replay of last year’s preliminary final. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm AEDT.
The Rabbitohs kicked off their 2014 campaign in arguably the best style of any team in the NRL, comprehensively defeating defending premiers the Roosters in a dominant display that was highlighted by the form of their key players.
Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles – last year’s runners-up – looked to have started their campaign in a similar vein with a 20-0 halftime lead over the Storm… until it all went wrong in a horrendous second half that saw them ultimately go down 23-22.
Compounding Manly’s woes is yet another hamstring injury to fullback Brett Stewart. In a remarkable statistic, it has been revealed Manly are a 17-point better team with Stewart in the side.
With Stewart gone, the Sea Eagles may have to win this one on defence. The players were reportedly filthy at their defensive efforts last week against the Storm – no doubt that will be an area of focus in preparation for this clash.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs came through their Round 1 test unscathed and will field the same side that romped home against the Roosters, meaning they’ll enter this contest as heavy favourites.
Superstar Greg Inglis has fired a warning shot to the entire NRL, nabbing a hat-trick in that game, while rep forwards Sam Burgess and Chris McQueen were also outstanding.
Coach Michael Maguire will simply be looking for more of the same and I’m backing the Rabbitohs to give him his wish.
Prediction
Rabbitohs by 12.
Can the Rabbitohs avenge last year’s preliminary final loss, or will the Sea Eagles overcome their Round 1 capitulation to post their first victory of the season?
Join us this evening at 7:40pm AEDT for live score updates and debate on our live blog, and be sure to give us your opinion in the space below if you’re watching.
Jamie Lyon
Roar Rookie
what a game! What a game! I was there and loved every minute of it! not the best of wins but we certainly showed Rabbitoh fans and those idiots in the "Rabbit Burrow' the huge difference between contenders and pretenders! the first half we were all over them and the Rabbits had nothing ..... the only thing that did surface was Sammy"s huge mouth and a one hit wonder! ... as usual when the chips were down the Rabbits turned to anything dirty ... same game plan as last year .... no change .... and yes I agree if that is all that Rabbitohs have ... then forget GF ... and Reynolds forget Origin .... his game plan was no better than Under 16s at Blacktown ! As i have said before and say it again ! All the way this year boys! Great game just a few defencive lapses and with Brett back, no team can stop us ... by the way Hicku had a blinder! on ya brother
Clearly concussed
Guest
I reckon nsw should select Ben hornby
Andrew Kitchener
Roar Guru
Well...wasn't expecting that, but a gutsy win from an undermanned team. I guess we needed it, if only to bury the memories of last week's collapse! Go Manly!!
The Hoff
Guest
yeah baby
Doug Graves
Guest
Yeah pretty ordinary performance but that hasn't stopped Mitchell Pearce from being selected for Origin. He's has made a career out of ordinary performances.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Glad to see Manly bounce back.
Adam
Roar Guru
As Leroy has already touched on, the Twitterverse is alight with criticism of Adam Reynolds after that performance:
Ronald M
Guest
Congrats to manly and to the bunnies on a very fine game.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Been doing the live blog for the AFL tonight, so haven't been able to watch this match at all. Looks like it was a cracker though
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
And boom the real pride of the league shows who's number 1...
Adam
Roar Guru
Definitely didn't hold his head under pressure at the end there!
Muzz
Guest
First half was shocking but last 30 was VERY entertaining.Need more of the Burgess V King go on run at me feeling in games. Well done Manly Well played Reynolds - NOT : )
The Spectator
Roar Guru
That was GOOOOOD!!
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Sea Eagles 14 - Rabbitohs 12 Well after a dire first half, this game picked up to breakneck speed at around the 60th minute, and the last quarter was about as exciting as it gets. It was Souths who lifted the tempo, getting out to a 12-6 lead and starting to dominate their opposition, but after a scuffle broke out between the two sides a crucial penalty against Sam Burgess helped get Manly back up the other end of the field and they were able to lock things up at 12-all through DCE. From there it was end-to-end stuff with both sides going close to scoring, but in the end it was a trysaving intercept from David Williams that led directly to a Manly penalty upfield and in goal-kicking range. Lyon made no mistake from 30m out, right in front, and Manly had a 14-12 lead. It wasn't over yet though – Souths won a short kick-off and Picker went within centimetres of scoring only for some brilliant last-gasp defence to deny him a certain try. That was enough to wrap it up for Manly in what will be a memorable victory without the Stewart brothers on deck.
Leroy Loggins
Guest
And once again Reynolds proves he's just not up to it.
Renegade
Guest
Second half was great, good game in the end. Manly deserved winners.
Tom
Guest
Gorgeous George or Matt Dunning would have him chasing a pie
Renegade
Guest
LOL at tooveys face when DCE threw that forward pass.... It looked like he'd been holdin his breath for a couple minutes!!
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Sea Eagles 14 - Rabbitohs 12
Adam
Roar Guru
Looked like George Rose would have run him down!