The South Sydney forward pack and Greg Inglis have run straight over St George Illawarra in their two meetings this year.
The Rabbitohs took the Charity Shield 38-20 and won 26-6 in Round 5, and it is hard to foresee a big turnaround on Monday night.
If new Dragons coach Paul McGregor is to make an impact in this game, he needs to toughen the Dragons forwards’ minds and bodies.
They more than anything else have been responsible for the downfall of coach Steve Price.
Souths should be near full strength with no injury concerns from Origin, but their recent form has not been inspiring. It also may be difficult for the Rabbitohs to come up with much enthusiasm for this game.
McGregor has moved Ben Creagh from second row, where he has been playing well this year, to prop alongside underperforming Dan Hunt. By doing so, McGregor is presumably hoping the Dragons captain will lead by example in the vital first 20 minutes.
McGregor has overlooked the opportunity to put English import Mike Cooper into the starting team in place of the less defensively minded Leeson Ah Mau, despite the fact that Cooper has been one of the Dragons’ best forwards all year.
The extended bench is all forwards, including hooker Shane Pumipi, so it may be that McGregor is intending to rest Mitch Rein during the match.
In the backs McGregor has the luxury of a fresh Josh Dugan after he missed out on Origin selection. Dugan will well remember the injury he suffered in the Charity Shield attempting to stop a George Burgess try, so he will have motivation.
Also selected at centre is utility back Peter Mata’utia, who played well on the wing in the Dragons last game against the Eels and who scored a try against Souths in the Charity Shield. Presumably McGregor has recognised that Price’s ploy of playing second rowers in the centres was not working.
The big question for McGregor is what to do if Brett Morris is ruled out, which seems likely.
The Souths backs are likely to target centre Gerard Beale, who has yet to fully adapt to the position. The coach could be tempting to trial Charly Runciman in the centres to stiffen the defence, moving Beale to the wing.
The big question mark is on Benji Marshall.
Marshall had two disallowed try assists against the Eels and will be much improved this game after more time training with the team, and particularly five-eigth Gareth Widdop.
The Dragons have two to three tries in them against Souths, but it is hard to see that being good enough to earn victory without a massive improvement in defence.
This could be the start of a long season for McGregor. He will want to see a lot of increased commitment from the team against Souths before next week’s must-win game against the Sharks.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Does Dugan pass the ball though? He would really need to improve on that skill.
Charles NSW
Guest
Thanks for that I did not know he was thinking on them lines. I think McGregor is weighing this up for Daley as an option for SOO I have been saying for some time that Dugan could go in the centres for both the Dragons and SOO It depends on what the Dragons have to work within their roster whether it is worth going down that track for them. In SOO if he can handle the defence he will be dynamic in attack.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I think they are looking and waiting to see whats available, with Bennett possibly in limbo, and some coaches in the UK worth looking at, and all other clubs looking fairly solid in the coaches they have currently, Saints can afford to take some time, and really Doust never rushes anything.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
It's from this article http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2321760/dugan-set-for-shock-shift-to-help-blues-bid/?cs=302 "Josh Dugan could play in the centres for the Dragons against South Sydney on Monday night. St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor could give Laurie Daley some food for thought, mulling over moving Josh Dugan to right centre for Monday night's clash against South Sydney."
Charles NSW
Guest
I think it was Brad Fittler that said on Sunday that Dugan will be in the centres for the Dragons. It may be that he meant SOO. I still think Brett Stewart at fullback and Dugan in the centres with Hayne.
Ret
Guest
I agree Souths shouldn't be lacking motivation, especially as they can leap from 11th to 4th with a 16 point(or better) win. Hopefully they just concentrate on winning, as this could be a tricky game for them. Any complacency and they'll lose.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Looks like the NSW Cup winger got the nod to replace Morris. Cannot see them putting Dugan in the centres at this stage although I think he would be good. Rumour has it he is still being looked at as fullback for origin 2 with Hayne in the centres.
BrumbyJack
Guest
Are Saints looking for a new coach to replace Macgregor as stand in at the end of the season? Or have they given Macgregor a contract? Souths shouldn't be lacking motivation for this match. They currently sit in 11th on the table, and really need to kick start they season.
Charles NSW
Guest
I believe Mike Cooper is off injured! I understand that Josh Dugan has been put into the centres? Does anyone know if this is true and if so is Beale in fullback.
Johnk
Guest
Yeh you're probably right. I'm a neutral on this game but would want to see the dragons be competitve, particularly benji
Matthew Buxton
Roar Pro
As a superstitious souths fan I'm always worried about the mid-season coach scenario. Teams always find a way to win in this situation. Last year when the Cowboys sacked Neil Henry they smashed souths the next week and went on to win game after game until getting controversially knocked out of the finals. In saying that, Dragons have disatriously failed to impress anybody, and the writing was on the wall for Price. Don't forget Dragons upset Souths in the corresponding gmae last year when Souths were red hot. So as a (biased) Souths fan it will be interesting
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Maybe but they were probably not up against a full strenght Souths side.
Charles NSW
Guest
The main problem is that the Dragons gave up on their coach. What is going on with this team? Watching Jamie Soward last night showed a player with tremendous talent that the Dragons lost because he did not get along with the coach. Now hey have sacked Price, will this fix up the problems. The forwards are bit light no doubt but it should not stop them from being competitive. The first thing McGregor needs to do is get the players in their right positions. He then should demand competition if they want to hold on to their position or be replaced.
Johnk
Guest
Will have to agree with you there Walt, I reckon the dragons do have the points in them but think it may not be enough. May I remind you though, some teams in the past have stepped up in the following games after the sacking and subsequent instalment of a new coach/caretaker. Some examples being parra beating the broncos under Brad Arthur (back when they sacked Kearney) and more recently with the warriors and McFadden.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Looks like McGregor will look to make minimal changes to replace Brett Morris who is out with a fractured shoulder and ligament damage and unlikely to play a part in the remainder of origin. The Illawarra Cutters have pulled a winger out of the coal league presumably to replace a winger pulled from them to replace Morris. So it looks like inform winger Geoff Daniella will be promoted rather than Runciman.
JohnnoMcJohnno
Guest
Face it, they're on a hiding to nothing. I'd consider it a victory if they scored some points in the first half. Their best hope is if Souths turn up un-motivated (always a possibility), otherwise it'll be a repeat of the Parramatta game.