The Rabbitohs are winners in the annual Charity Shield fixture, defeating the Dragons by four points on Saturday night.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
St George Illawarra Dragons 18
South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
The St George Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs will wrap up preparations for the NRL season when they contest the Charity Shield in Mudgee. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
St George Illawarra don’t have a great track record in the Charity Shield, having only won five of 17, but they were solid in their first outing of the year last week against English Super League club Hull FC.
While there were underlying issues and a lack of consistency, that’s to be expected in the first game of the season.
A 24-18 victory over Hull saw the first chance for the new spine of Matt Dufty, Ben Hunt, Gareth Widdop and Cameron McInnes to combine, with James Graham also making his first outing in the Red V.
Hunt and Widdop will need to shake more rust off in Mudgee, but the performance of Dufty was one to behold. He had over 200 metres and was involved in everything for the Dragons as he tries to lockdown the fullback spot for the season ahead.
He undoubtedly has earnt himself first crack and will probably be wrapped in cotton wool for the Shield, along with the other key players.
The Rabbitohs meanwhile, also came away with a win at Homebush last week as they went past the Wigan Warriors in a game devoid of star-power.
Without Greg Inglis, Adam Reynolds and Sam Burgess among others, the Bunnies made a good start under new coach Anthony Seibold to take an 18-8 victory.
The red, white and green will still be without Inglis and Reynolds for this one, although it’s been rumoured Inglis will make a shock run off the bench during the second half despite not being named.
South Sydney do need to show something in this match though. Granted, they did in last year’s Charity Shield and it made no impact on their season as they finished at the wrong end of the ladder, but they will be keen to make a few statements in this one.
New prize recruit Dane Gagai is also expected to start, while Damien Cook takes over the first-choice hooking role from Robbie Farah. So often in 2017 though, South Sydney struggled with the fundamentals of rugby league and it’s important for them to put together a consistent 80 minutes before the season starts.
Prediction
The Dragons looked solid in patches last week and should continue to improve this week. With the Rabbitohs still playing without Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds, the Charity Shield should return to the Red V.
Dragons by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Charity Shield from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
jacksyd
Guest
Not bad at all from Souths against a full strength St George. Hope its the last we see of Robbie Farah. When Cook came off it was like replacing a ferrari with a fj holden.
Scott Pryde
Expert
No worries Jimmy, Yep, plenty to take out of it, but I'm really concerned by the Dragons defence. Going to shoot us if it doesn't improve.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018 Charity Shield as the South Sydney Rabbitohs got an important win over the St George Illawarra Dragons. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. The next time I'll be on for some rugby league action will be the season opener. Join me on Thursday, March 8 from 7:50pm (AEDT) as the St George Illawarra Dragons host the Brisbane Broncos, then stick with us for every game of the season, live. In the meantime though, we have A-League, NBL finals, Super Rugby, AFLW and AFL pre-season, Australia's tour of South Africa - The Roar is your one stop shop for live sport. Speaking of A-League, join me in about half an hour for live coverage of the Perth Glory and Melbourne City. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
So then, both teams will take positives from the Charity Shield. South Sydney's attack was good - Dane Gagai was outstanding on the flank, while Damien Cook and Cody Walker were also superb. The combination of Ben Hunt and Gareth Widdop is coming along nicely, Matt Dufty is growing into his role and Cameron McInnes was explosive at times playing out of dummy half. Tyson Frizell as well, looks to be near his best after a slow finish to 2017. St George Illawarra's defence in the middle third was the biggest question though. Souths asked questions and more often than not, the Dragons didn't respond.
jimmmy
Guest
Thanks Scott. I thought a pretty good game for a trial . Both teams can take some positives out of that.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME A penalty for the Bunnies now as well. They go over halfway with a quick tap and in a flurry are in a position to try and add another try here. Sutton into the middle, then George Burgess tramples Latimore, but is tackled. Crichton the next and the referee called held. He jumped out of the tackle and tried to claim a try - that won't count - but the Rabbitohs victory will. The Rabbitohs defend the charity shield with a four-point victory in Mudgee. Great performance from them - lots of solid defence and some good attack. Cody Walker looked strong, as did their forwards. Still plenty to like about the Dragons on the attack, but their defence up the middle third left a lot to be desired. St George Illawarra Dragons 18 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - The Dragons have a full set then, ten short of halfway. Ah Mau and Frizell work it up the right hand side, then it's Latimore stepping off the left and tackled 30 out with half a set to go. They spread right now and Lomax makes a mistake which should kill the Dragons charge. St George Illawarra Dragons 18 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - St George Illawarra need to go the length of the field here, but it's not a good start with the first two plays yielding them nothing. Latimore gets it out of the 20, then Sele finds about another ten metres. Poor set till now with Hunt then showing it on the right and having the ball knocked down. Six again. St George Illawarra Dragons 18 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Four minutes to go and the Rabbitohs start this set 20 out from their own line. George Burgess with the first, then it's a spread left and Crichton is tackled. They come over halfway through Farah, before Sutton, who has been good tonight, cuts back through the middle. Crichton with a second run, then Doueihi kicks it over the sideline in the corner. St George Illawarra Dragons 18 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - Sele carts it forward to start this set, then it's a spread left from Hunt to Ah Mau who is tackled five out. They go right this time with Hunt finding Frizell and then Dufty to Lomax who can't find a way through or an offload. They go long and back to the left with Hunt finding Lafai who is wrestled to ground 15 out. That's four plays and Sims will take a settler. On the last now it's Hunt to Widdop who looks to run, then offloads and the ball has gone to ground. Souths have a penalty as well. Frizell with a high tackle. St George Illawarra Dragons 18 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - The Dragons on the attack and looking dangerous, Hunt eventually taken to ground in a second effort and winning a penalty. St George Illawarra Dragons 18 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - SIN BIN! Robert Jennings Souths will finish this with 12. St George Illawarra Dragons 18 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - Going to be a good finish here. Latimore brings it back from the kick-off for the Dragons, then it's Sele clearing the red zone. They go back to the right with Frizell changing direction and making a good 20 metres, before Ah Mau, the try-scorer, gets to halfway and offloads to McInnes who finds Hunt and he drifts left, eventually finding Sims who carts it forward. Back to the right now and Widdop finds some space, then Lomax who offloads back to Widdop and he grubbers, eventually forcing a drop out. We are going to go to the video referee - not really to check the try - but to check if a player was taken out. And in fact, this might be a penalty try. Gagai was ahead of Nightingale, but his progress was definitely impeded by the Souths defender. Should be a penalty for the Dragons. St George Illawarra Dragons 18 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by GARETH WIDDOP St George Illawarra Dragons 18 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - TRY DRAGONS, LEESON AH MAU St George Illawarra have the scrum 22 metres out. It's Hunt right to Widdop who passes to ground with Dufty recovering and then taking the tackle. Back through the middle for Sele who is eventually put on the ground with Ah Mau then running onto a pass from McInnes, putting a lovely bit of footwork on at the line and crashing through a gap to score under the sticks. St George Illawarra Dragons 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Kenw
Guest
Maybe I'm over-reading this but it looks like Saints are changing their attacking style with the clock. At first they were all about sweeping 2nd-man plays. Then in the middle their go-to play became inside balls and direction switches. Now it's offloads and 2nd phase. Playing with unlimited subs and a big bench will often give clear sections in matches but it just seems such clear demarcations between the style of play.
Scott Pryde
Expert
69' - The Dragons are going absolutely nowhere here. Lafai eventually comes into the middle and gets out of the red zone with a carry, before Hunt goes right to Widdop and then it's Lomax with an offload to Nightingale who gets around his man and looks to link back inside, but Gagai saves the day, getting a hand on the ball. He can't hold it, but that saves a certain try. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
68' - Souths over halfway, then it's Farah with a lovely kick out of dummy half. It sits up at the in goal and the Dragons will have to bring it out of the corner. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
67' - Latimore has the Dragons back over halfway on the first play, before Sele works his way forward. They spread right from Frizell to Lomax who is stopped 20 out. Back to the left with a spread, but there were no moving players there and Ah Mau is taken to ground, with the last then going back to the right, Hunt putting a kick up and Gagan flying above the pack to take it. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22