The struggling Wests Tigers face off against the South Sydney Rabbitohs tonight in the first match of Round 14. Tune in to The Roar from 7:45 for live scores and coverage.
The Rabbits will be looking to extend their run of good form after a dominant display against the Warriors last week. As the reigning premiers they should expect to be in the top four and a win this week will put them in contention for one of those spots as they currently sit fifth placed on the ladder.
For the Tigers, a win is essential at this stage of the competition as they struggle in 13th position on the leaderboard.
If they’re to have any hope of making the finals, they’ll need to break their current poor form, which has now stretched to four straight defeats, though a win against the Rabbitohs never comes easy.
Helping their chances is the return of David Nofoaluma and Tim Simona to the starting line up, which will most likely see Milone and Hoeter pushed out of the team.
It was a poor start to the season for the Rabbits but they’ve just burst to life in their last few games, showing signs of the Premier Winners from last year who had looked to lost form.
Last week’s dismissal of the seventh-placed Warriors was a fantastic display, and the South Sydney boys will be hard to stop again tonight as they gain the confidence for the second half of the season.
The last meeting between these two sides was in round 3, when Walker scored his two tries to help the Rabbitohs to a 20-6 victory, despite playing with a broken hand.
And we don’t see it going any differently tonight. The Rabbits will prove too strong, and should win comfortably with the likes of Farah and Woods still out for the Tigers.
Rabbits to win by 12.
3 Hats
Guest
Souths looked very tired, seeing them laying on the carpet at Perth's airport awaiting their flight back to Sydney, was not a good look. Reynolds shock return, it seemed he was favouring his broken thumb. It affected his tackling.
GTW
Guest
Souths were bad. They are not classy enough to just turn up and win, they need to have a go, like most NRL Teams need to. I've seen Taupau fake a punch to the head of his opponents in two games now. It's a very bad look and designed to make his opponents flinch. Not cool at all, why make yourself look like a low life thug? It's not something that intelligent people aspire to. His size and ability are more than enough to wreak havoc, without resorting to high school bullying tactics. Gain respect from the right people Marty!
steveng
Roar Rookie
A 'once in a while' performance by the Tigers. Souths played awful and really made their fans worry about the future. Souths were one uppers and had no creativity in their attack what so ever, they were slow, uninspiring, the tackling out wide was none existent and really awful to watch. Johnston had a shocker at fullback, kept dropping nearly every bomb and young Olive didn't have a very good debut on the wing, this was all apart of why Souths lost. Very disappointing especially when Reynolds was back. But what I would like to know is 'Where was Issac Luke?" did he go back with the Warriors to NZ?.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
They looked as if they were enjoying rugby league.
Muzz
Guest
Tigers were very impressive. They've showed glimpses of a quality leading up to this game. Tonight they managed to put it all together in an 80 minute package.
Muzz
Guest
I thoroughly enjoyed his impersonation of a turn style. 10/10
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Tapau got it..
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
He's playing like the Hulk in all of his recent New Zealand appearances. Pretty impressive stuff.
Wolly
Roar Guru
Reynolds was the form halfback before he got that injury against the Bulldogs. Having to come back against a Tigers side with a point to prove didn't make it any easier for him tonight. Should come good in a few weeks or so.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Well how cool was that? Broken femur thingies. Life after professional sports. Who knows? ????
Wolly
Roar Guru
Great win be the Tigers. Good to see them get that fire in the belly finally. If they continue to put in similar performances to tonight they should make the 8.
jamesb
Guest
Once he gets into the groove of match fitness, Reynolds will still be a key player for Souths. Hasn't really played much football this year.
JB
Guest
Who got man of match had to be tapau
Muzz
Guest
Souths will be fine once Reynolds returns.
Johnnyball
Guest
These games are so lack lustre at origin time. Just can't watch for some reason and no offence meant to supporters
James Anderson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Final Score: 34 - 6 Big win for the Tigers tonight as the young side outplayed the Reigning Premiers in every aspect. The Tigers got off to a dream start with tries to Tadesco and Taupau in the first 9 minutes. The Rabbits thought they'd found their way back into the match through Goodwin who then converted to make the scores 12-6, and at half time the game was in the balance after an even last 20 of the first 40 minutes. But the Tigers came out stronger than they were in the first half with second half tries to Tadesco, Nofoaluma, Taupau and Brooks. Try of the Night has to go to Brooks, whose 40 metre run opened up the sluggish Rabbitohs defence and began the onslaught that was the second half. An all round great performance for West Tigers, and a disappointing display from the reigning premiers. Thanks for tuning in tonight, see you next time.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Very disappointed with South's effort tonight. But rolled gold kudos to the cubs. I love it when the little fellas do a Samson. This is a woo hoo moment. ;-)
James Anderson
Roar Guru
79' - THERE IS! TRY to TADESCO On the second tackle Tadesco raps around Moses and collects clever little pass. He still had work to do to avoid the Rabbits defence, but the gap had been made and he found it. Great try to finish off the night as the siren sounds for FULL TIME Tigers 34-6 Rabbitohs
James Anderson
Roar Guru
78' - Marty Taupau drives forward and gains some ground once again. His been very dominant in the middle tonight. Now a scrum for Tigers 10m out. Is there time for another try? Tigers 28-6 Rabbitohs
James Anderson
Roar Guru
77' - Rabbits spread the ball wide with some neat team play, but winger Aaron Gray wasn't wide enough to allude McGuires tackle. They've struggled in almost every one-on-one contest tonight - huge effort from the young West Tigers outfit. Tigers 28-6 Rabbitohs