NRL's greatest rivalry: Roosters vs Rabbitohs and the fullback battle for the ages

This Friday night, the latest chapter in the Book of Feuds is scheduled to kick off at the new Allianz Stadium.

The clash of two of the league’s most dynamic teams is subject to gripping sub-plots, exciting even the neutral observer.

None is more scintillating than the clash between two of the game’s premier fullbacks in the Roosters’ James Tedesco and Rabbitohs’ Latrell Mitchell.

Their team’s most electric attacking weapons, both custodians are essential to their respective sides’ premiership success. If either the Bunnies or Chooks are to be legitimate threats to the Panthers’ stranglehold on the Provan-Summons Trophy, Teddy and Trell must be at their brilliant best, which is currently the case.

Considering the class of both players, the chances of a dramatic form slump is as likely as Russell Crowe and Nick Politis exchanging Christmas cards. The only foreseeable reason neither will be a determining factor in the finals is due to injury or suspension.

Which begs the question, if this was to occur, which team’s premiership dream would be shattered more so than the others?

Widely regarded as the game’s best player, the significance of Tedesco is undeniable. Putting his average of seven tackle breaks a game aside, Teddy’s ability to involve himself in all facets of the game, across all sections of the field is second to none.

He is as at home charging full pelt into the opposition from a kick return or taking a tough one-out carry play two, as he is bamboozling tired forwards up the middle with his electric footwork, or finishing off a slick backline movement on the peripheries.

What has improved in leaps and bounds over the last two years is Tedesco’s passing game and decision-making skills on the edges, adding another string to a bow already constructed of pure of class.

A duel premiership winner, Dally M medallist, and four-time consecutive Jack Gibson Medal recipient, this is one player that uncle Nick would not trade for anyone.

James Tedesco of the Roosters celebrates scoring a try. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Which leads to the intriguing case of Latrell, the player that the Roosters’ Godfather was happy to let go.

Although differing in styles, Latrell’s game cannot be considered less dynamic to that of his Bondi contemporary. In many ways, his tendency to moderate his workload, especially in the earlier parts of the game, allows Mitchell to inject himself with blistering force during critical moments of the contest that ensures ultimate impact.

This was never more evident than the ten rounds that a hamstring injury sidelined him in the middle of the season. Although not devoid of strike power, a soft draw masked what would have been a lean period, as even the class of Cody Walker and Alex Johnston were incapable of lifting to accommodate for Mitchel’s missing brilliance.

This was apparent in the 2021 decider, when without their main attacking force, the Bunnies went down to Penrith.

Brilliant in his own right, Tedesco has the potential to leave an immeasurable hole in the Tricolours’ backline. The Roosters themselves were also subject to an uncharacteristic mid-season slump that left them languishing on the periphery of the top eight.

Similarly to Souths, a run has put them right back in the hunt for premiership glory. However, the Chooks’ lacklustre displays saw their number one asset on the field throughout.

It is no coincidence that their re-emergence as a premiership force coincided with the return to prominence of Luke Keary, following an extended stay on the sideline after the latest in a long line of concussions.

Keary has slowly worked his way back into scintillating form, displaying vision and finesse not unlike that which landed him the Clive Churchill medal only a few years ago. There has been no better testament to this than the class shown last Friday night in chipping across field to find a wide open Joseph Manu for the first try against a red-hot Melbourne Storm.

Manu himself has been integral, as he continues to justify the decision to prioritise his signature over that of Mitchell’s at the back end of 2019.

The best centre in the game, Joey has proven this year more than ever that he is equally at home at fullback and in the halves. Another one whose extraordinary efforts were on show on Friday night, he regularly covered for Tedecso and his efforts to clean up at the back were only overshadowed by the 23 carries he made for the game, an extraordinary number for a player traditionally locked into one side.

Then there is Joseph Suaalii, the teenage prodigy who is what power and tenacity look like, and has really come into his own under Trent Robinson in 2022. His meteoric rise to being one of the best wingers in the game has almost certainly booked him a ticket on the plane to England in Mal Meninga’s World Cup squad.

When you combine these three players and their influence, it provides reassurance that despite the undisputed genius that Tedesco brings, with or without him they are in good hands. Whether or not they could go all the way and take the spoils on grand final day is yet to be seen, however the key to success has proven to not lie solely within their main man.

But if Mitchell was to bow out prematurely again, history suggests the Bunnies would be in an uphill battle to conquer the NRL’s summit.

From now until the October long weekend, I could forgive South Sydney fans if their daily prayers included a request to make sure their number one gets through each week, starting with this Friday’s grudge match, unscathed.