Souths have not been to the World Club Series before, and have a baptism of fire facing Super League’s reigning premiers St Helens at their new stadium, Langtree Park, which will see its first sell-out crowd this weekend.
St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus believes the stage is perfectly set for an historic occasion.
McManus told the Liverpool Echo: “I’ve said since we won the grand final last year that this would be the biggest day in the history of the town.”
Russell Crowe, co-owner of Souths, will be in the stands of the Langtree Coliseum and his Rabbitohs should start favourites but with little support from the home crowd.
The Rabbitohs started the year winning the Auckland Nines, and retained the Charity Shield against the Dragons with a come-from-behind draw. But many key Souths players have been absent.
They have also sacked former captain John Sutton in favour of fullback Greg Inglis, after an off-season, off-field incident which is currently being reinvestigated by the NRL. Inglis insists Sutton’s standing among the Rabbitohs playing group hasn’t changed.
St Helens are undefeated in two games this season, their last game was a confidence-boosting 52-6 victory against the Salford Red Devils. Saints have also announced an opposed training session against their Australian namesake, St George Illawarra Dragons, the last serious team to play the Rabbitohs, as both teams prepare for their World Series encounters.
Defence was the key to Souths’ 30-6 NRL grand final win over the Bulldogs last year and we can expect coach Michael Maguire, who has a host of Super League experience, will aim to silence the crowd and St Helens’ attack.
The key is likely to be the clashes of the two forward packs, and in this regard Souths, with limited game time for the forwards in the preseason, may be at a disadvantage.
I have to go with the bookies’ favourites, the Rabbitohs, to win in what I suspect will be closer than many in Australia expect.
troy ryan
Guest
Oh sorry THE MIGHTY RED AND GREENS.
troy ryan
Guest
I think Souths will do fine, not only in attack but in defense....they are a very drilled unit under Madge. Go the Red And Greens.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
The English and the bookies were very sure of a super league clean sweep of the series but NRL Dragons 11th placed beat 3rd placed Warrington Super league and 8th placed Broncos beat 2 placed Wigan. But even though the NRL clubs are 2-0 in the series over Super League this is the only game that counts and we will see if an under prepared Souths can do it. I expect that Souths can dominate in defence with last years structures still in place but it will be interesting how much they can do in attack.