Two of rugby league’s fiercest rivals go head-to-head as the South Sydney Rabbitohs host the Sydney Roosters. Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage of the match.
With four rounds of football remaining, Souths sit in first position following last week’s 30-20 win over the second-placed Storm.
The Bunnies were strong through the middle of the park and tested Melbourne’s defence out wide, delivering an impressive win after a form slump.
The cardinal and myrtle have a tough run into the finals though, with the Broncos, Raiders and Wests Tigers following this game. Nonetheless, they are in the box seat to clinch their first minor premiership since 1989, currently sitting two points clear of the Storm and Roosters.
However, the Roosters are the comp’s form team, as shown by last week’s 26-20 win over the Cowboys. Their spine has clicked at just the right time, with James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk forging a lethal combination.
The Bondi boys are still without five-eighth Luke Keary though, who is replaced by Ryan Matterson, while Sean O’Sullivan looms as back-up off the bench.
South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs share a storied history, dating all the way back to the 1908 NSWRFL season. The two inner-city clubs have played in 239 matches, the Rabbitohs winning 124 to the Roosters’ 109.
The last time these old foes played was in Round 6, when Souths recorded a 26-14 win at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Prediction
The Roosters’ defence will hold out against a struggling South Sydney attack.
Roosters by 4.
Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
wildcard
Guest
this will be a great game and i hope the ref is nutreal and not one sided as i have seen many time withe the rabitohs last game he was fr the roosters will see if he is still bias
JN
Guest
well if we cant win the comp then what chance do souffs have?
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
You're right Doc -- inconsistency. Sammy got suspended earlier in the year for lifting his forearm whilst in possession of the ball against the Bulldogs -- have seen the same by others during the year ( including Kaufusi last week) and refs don't even blink.
Barry
Guest
Chooks played about 60% if that - sure Souths had players out but how would you know if they had all played the result would not have been the same. The refs made some blues too which could have cost the Chooks the match one has to say - the fergo knock on - off his chin and the Toops pass into the Souths players leg- no knock on and the souths player tackled into touch - should have been a chooks feed - souths first try- burgess stops in the line should have been a no try - just cannot do that
steveng
Roar Rookie
Keary might be a loss to the Chooks but they didn't lose that much compared to the Bunnies centres where we had all of our boys out. How can you compare that Keary was out when you compare GI, Jennings Graham and Doueihi out? Now take out, Tedesco, Tupou, Mitchell, Manu, and Ferguson for the Chooks and what have you got left? That is what happened to the Bunnies and the Chooks just won! Forget about Keary and that excuse!!! Also, the reason Sammy had a shocker is because he was trying to do too much, he was playing allover the park e.g. he was at 5/8 there for a while there when Gags was filling in at centre, The Bunnies will take allot out of this game and lets hope that GI, Jennings and Graham are back soon as the boys put in a top effort and the Chooks (under the circumstances) didn't prove much. Go the Bunnies!!!!
Rod
Guest
Sam was off tonight , but the Twins especially Tom was best forward on the pitch by a long way followed by Cam Murray . Pretty sure Tom ran for 200m, I think Napa ran for about 20. Wouldn’t be surprised if Tom ran for more meters than the entire Roosters middle third unless you count Ferguson as a middle third( at least he runs with Gusto) . Unlike JWH who huffs and puffs but goes know where
Rod
Guest
Probably right , but he is a speed bump in defence . So probably Souths score a couple due to Kearys defence so I think his loss was balanced out by Mattersons defence
thomas c
Guest
Rabbitohs didn't roll forward and attack as much as they had done. Roosters were lacklustre. The channel 9 commentary team praised them absurdly at points, but they had lousy ball control and there were a few passes that were to no one.
JimboJones
Guest
Tissue ?
Craig Joubert
Guest
No, but my point was that he is a big loss. GI is more important, but that doesn't change the fact that Jennings is a big loss to the team
Gee up
Guest
How did you get guru status? You’re a an absolute dribbler that has Nfi.. you honestly don’t think losing your fullback and putting an back rower into The centres made a difference? Just stop commenting, you’re an embarrassment to this site
Jn
Guest
Did you watch the game at all? I agree Souths were the better team, but there were no unluck calls or strange desicions. South had so much penalties. If Souths couldn’t capitalise against the roosters defence, it was their own fault. Roosters literally handed the game and they still couldn’t win. Souths aren’t the form side, I still think melbourne is
Renegade
Roar Guru
You reckon Jennings would have just scored tries at will on the wing tonight??
The Duad
Guest
5 out makes a big difference to any side. Rabbits have a lot more to gain from this than the chickens. It was not a great match, kind of patchy from both sides. Chickens should have won more convincingly i would have thought.
Adam
Roar Guru
Should have been a penalty tonight. But who really cares?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
That was a tough game, not great quality but absorbing. Souths showed a lot of ticker to hang in all game. Chooks were the better side but not by a lot imo. Souths have 5 backs out injured whilst Sammy had his worst game of the year. They will be proud of the effort as the Chooks really should have won by plenty.
Adam
Roar Guru
GI holds much more value in my view.
Doc79
Guest
Burgess inadvertently knees JWH in the head, stoppage, play on. Last night EXACTLY the same happens to Lodge- 8 point try. But let's not criticize.
The Duad
Guest
Lol@Muzz
stevesyd
Roar Rookie
Brace yourself for another choke come Sept