The South Sydney Rabbitohs and Melbourne Storm will clash in a top of the table fixture that could help to determine who lifts the JJ Giltinan Shield in 2018. Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage of the match.
The Rabbitohs have been one of the most consistent teams throughout the 2018 season as they continue to build toward their first NRL premiership since their historic 2014 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Anthony Seibold’s team have hit some minor road bumps over the last few weeks after peaking at the top of the table in Round 18, losing to the Wests Tigers before struggling in a comeback win against the last-placed Parramatta Eels.
Seibold will be requiring his side to put together an impressive turnaround as they receive their first test against a fellow top eight team since defeating the Sharks during the State of Origin period.
Opposition teams have learnt to shut down Souths’ left-hand attacking structure in recent weeks, limiting the powers of the likes of John Sutton, Cody Walker and Robert Jennings to deal damage to the opposition.
Adam Reynolds must take on greater responsibility in steering his team around the park, particularly through the middle, and using his attacking creativity to help the Rabbitohs excel as the National Rugby League finals draw nearer.
South Sydney are unchanged from their last start win over the Parramatta Eels while Craig Bellamy has made a number of changes to his side with Ryan Hoffman and Dale Finucane starting, shifting Joe Stimson and Kenneath Bromwich to the bench.
Despite winning last year’s premiership, the Melbourne Storm have climbed to the top quietly in 2018 to leapfrog the Dragons and Rabbitohs into first place after 20 rounds.
Melbourne’s best 17 are available and they are sending a frightening message to the remainder of the competition, their sights firmly set on becoming the first team since the 1992-93 Brisbane Broncos to win back-to-back premierships.
They now have eight wins in a row including victories over fellow top eight teams the Broncos 32-16, Roosters 9-8, Dragons 52-30 and Warriors 12-6.
The Rabbitohs and Storm have featured in 28 matches throughout their history, of which Melbourne have dominated with a stunning 24 victories, the best head-to-head record of any two teams in the National Rugby League.
Their last meeting was no different when the Storm delivered their biggest win since 2013, defeating the Rabbitohs 64-6 in Round 25 last year. Melbourne boast an equally impressive record at Stadium Australia with 13 wins from 18 games at the venue. It will be their first game there since last year’s NRL Grand Final.
Prediction
The Storm will hold onto first position in an extremely close match.
Storm by 2.
Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
Muzz
Guest
https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/rabbit-stew-20170601-gwhvfw
steveng
Roar Rookie
I've got to put this in, especially to Emcie 'I did' remember 'top 4' but, if I would have said winning the GF then I would have been laughed off the Roar lol Go the Bunnies, you beauties!!!
Emcie
Roar Guru
What about it?
Big daddy
Guest
Once again a disappointing crowd for a match of this stature. Same as last weekend with st George and Roosters. We're getting to pointy end of season and the top four teams can't get a crowd above 20k.
Alex
Guest
Regarding the Slater quick taps...I still don't know what the rule is for a quick tap...does the ref need to mark the spot or not? A few times last night and Thursday night there were quick taps with no 'mark' set by the ref, but when one of the Morris' took off (and consequently scored a try), the ref claimed that he hadn't set a mark and they needed to take a re-tap. I like the quick tap without the ref needing to set the mark as it gives the attacking side an advantage, rather than just face a set defensive line again. I think the only time the ref needs to pull the play up is is the attacking player clearly takes the tap in front of the mark, or doesn't even tap it properly. Such is the going phrase lately, "consistency would be nice".
Gee up
Guest
That comment didn’t age well
Brian S
Guest
Have to say i'm glad we lost that game, we have just been cruizing along, we will have learned a lot form that game, so know it's time too focus on the run too the big 1!! 1 thing i'm happy about is the way we kept trying to score till the last second, the Fox is the sort of player that any club would love too have in there team !!
M
Guest
Special rule book for Billy and Cam.
Forty Twenty
Guest
For a long time I've wondered why outside backs don't stand deeper. A lot of the forward passes this year have been because of this. Not only were the Bunnies deep but they were also doing everything else right as well. Billy Slater was allowed to take two quick taps in a row without the ref coming over and marking the spot . They should allow this a lot more. It's amazing though how the refs award penalties to players who thrash around in the tackle like Slater did.
Caractacus
Guest
What a game. The Burgii led from the front, Graham was fantastic, Walker was great and Cook was brilliant. That's the Rabbitohs best of the season and with a rested GI coming back they're looking in great shape for the finals..... I hope they can do it all again next week against the Roosters.
Barry Sampson
Guest
Ha Ha see possession
SteveSyd
Guest
Roosters no hope
Barry Sampson
Guest
Ha Ha see possession
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Thanks Riley, great game, the Storm played well but the Bunnies were better tonight.
SteveSyd
Guest
Next week
SteveSyd
Guest
Will be a few feathers blowing around next week.
Danno1
Guest
Wow, wasn't that a fast, tough, quality game of footy. Siebold coach of the year, last year this team was as boring as the bulldogs, now it's all bodies in motion, straight running, good angles and multiple options. It looks like a new style of footy. Not only that but he's coached the burgess twins to control and hold the footy, may be even a bigger coaching effort. Some of Cody Walker's great passes looked like a necessity because he couldn't run, seemed to be carrying an injury in the second half ,but the timing of them was sweet. Cookie wow, like wow, tonight had a smell of the changing of the guard
steveng
Roar Rookie
I know my Bunnies what a game and what an absolute dominant performance in the second half, one down 4 to go lol
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar’s coverage of South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm. The Rabbitohs are a step closer to the J.J. Giltinan Shield with a comprehensive 10-point victory over the Storm. There is plenty more sporting action to come this weekend with the NRL, AFL, Super Rugby final and Supercars Sydney Super Sprint. I'll be back on Sunday from 4pm (AEST) for live coverage of Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders. Thanks for following along.
Craig Joubert
Guest
Rabbitohs v Roosters next week will be a cracker as well