Roar Guru
Will the table-topping St George Illawarra Dragons continue to silence their sceptics or will the South Sydney Rabbitohs overcome the loss of Sam Burgess? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:50pm AEST.
While many were expecting Paul McGregor’s men to figure in this year’s finals race, very few were anticipating such an impressive start to their 2018 campaign.
Their undefeated start to the year bears resemblance to their early success last season. The Red V won six of their first seven games to storm into premiership contention only to win six of their remaining 17 fixtures.
This year, however, the Dragons appear to have an extra edge with new halves pairing Gareth Widdop and Ben Hunt currently forming the most formidable partnership in the competition.
Their outside backs have also been strong with the St George Illawarra backline combining for the second most run metres in the competition with 2475.
South Sydney search for their third-straight win on Friday night yet will have to do so without Sam Burgess. The inspirational forward was controversially suspended for two weeks for a raised elbow on Bulldogs centre Josh Morris.
His absence, however, is offset by the return of halfback Adam Renyolds with rookie Adam Doueihi reverting back to the bench. Meanwhile, Dane Gagai has been named on the wing for Friday night’s clash with Hymel Hunt shifting to his spot in the centres.
The Rabbitohs may have got out of jail against Canterbury off the back of two late tries yet coach Anthony Seibold would have been disappointed with his side’s 13 errors.
South Sydney will have to improve their ball handling if they are to overcome a firing Dragons outfit.
Prediction
The Dragons’ winning streak will have to come to an end sometime but they do not look like slowing down anytime soon and certainly not against an unconvincing Rabbitohs side.
Dragons by 14.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:50pm AEDT.