South Sydney Rabbitohs
12
Match Complete
Brisbane Broncos
32
| 74 |  | A. Reynolds | ||
| 73 |  | S. Cobbo | ||
| 66 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 64 | | H. Farnworth | ||
| 60 |  | A. Reynolds | ||
| B. Taaffe | | 57 | ||
| T. Milne | | 56 | ||
| 53 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 51 | | S. Cobbo | ||
| B. Taaffe | | 38 | ||
| T. Milne | | 37 | ||
| 30 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 28 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 15 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 14 | | C. Oates |
| 2 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 9 of the NRL Premiership gets underway tonight when the South Sydney Rabbitohs take on the Brisbane Broncos at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.50pm AEST.
All the media noise this week will focus on Adam Reynolds’ first game against his old club. As interesting as that is, the focus really should be who collects the 2 premiership points in a battle between two clubs on the fringes of the top 8.
If you missed last weekend, South Sydney’s 40-22 win over Manly would have looked very impressive. The reality is though, with Karl Lawton dismissed in the 8th minute, the Sea Eagles arguably took the most positives out of that game.
Cody Walker’s partnership with Lachlan Ilias is still in its infancy, and the attack does look clunky at times. Damien Cook has been below his best and needs to re-discover his running game.
Liam Knight returns to the interchange for the Rabbits, with Davvy Moale and Shaquai Mitchell out of the 17 man squad. Isaiah Tass keeps his spot in the centres ahead of Taane Milne.
The Broncos were impressive against the Sharks last round, winning 16-7 in a second half shut out. Few pundits gave the Broncos a chance, but they secured their biggest scalp of the season so far.
We’ve always known that Kotoni Staggs was a match winner on his day, but his form has been consistently good this year and he edged out Siosifa Talakai last start. He must be on the cusp of Origin selection.
In major blows for the Broncos, Payne Haas and Kurt Capewell are both out with injury. TC Robati replaces Capewell in the second row. In more welcome news, Patrick Carrigan is named to return from his knee injury early and slots into Haas’ spot at prop.
Prediction
Haas’ absence for the Broncos is significant as the big forward consistently gets lots of metres for Brisbane.
Carrigan’s return does make up some of this lost ground but it may not be enough.
Despite their victory last weekend, the Rabbitohs will be keen to improve on their performance tonight and I think they will.
South Sydney Rabbitohs by 12
Game information
Kick-off: 7:50pm AEST
Venue: Accor Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Nine Network
Betting: Rabbitohs $1.25, Broncos $4.00 – odds via PlayUp
South Sydney
1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray
Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Hame Sele 16. Liam Knight 17. Jaxson Paulo
Brisbane
1. Te Maire Martin 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Patrick Carrigan 11. TC Robati 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington
Interchange: 14. Cory Paix 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Keenan Palasia
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Besides last night he usually dies all the little things much better than Latrell, and Latrell if argue has a bigger impact from centre as he remains fresh. In fact I'd play Latrell at centre, but once Souths get into the opposition 20 give him a licence to play fullback as that's where he's so dangerous with his skill and size
Rellum
Roar Guru
Shows how pointless all those Stats are
Nat
Roar Guru
Its good to have that confidence in their line. I don’t mind if they get scored on out wide as long as the oppo isn’t running through the middle as they have been in recent times.
matth
Roar Guru
Who would have thought that South’s would miss Burgess more than the Broncos missed Haas?
dogs
Guest
Pretty good game to watch as a neutral. Quiet game for Kolomatangi who has been pretty good for them in recent weeks. Think Souths missed Burges, and where is Nicholls? I assume he's injured, but not sure I've seen him this year. When is he due back? For Brisbane, the edges looked a bit manic, but desperation made up for it - mostly. Great game from Carrigan and Jensen.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
For the most avid fans to turn on their own team within the space of 80 minutes, SSF must show to be pure and utter bunkum.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Fair enough mate. Nothing to apologise for, I was there for the jousting. My interpretation is he didn't get an opportunity to advance the ball due to being tackled immediately. You've seen it differently. No worries. Annesley will see it differently again. No skin off my back, just disagree with the ruling. Dragons travelling well. Storm might struggle if they're drawn into an arm wrestle after having it very easy the past couple of weeks. Good luck.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
And won the penalty count (again) including the only 6-again call of the whole game.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Hi Fraser, My apologies for being condescending. Unnecessary on my part, but you seemed to enjoy your part in it. To a significant extent, you just answered your own question. You can't be passive in that situation, even if you are under pressure from a defender (is there a scenario in which a marker challenging for the ball isn't under pressure?). As I said up the thread, he makes no attempt to advance the ball, apart from the usual thrashing around to obtain an advantageous play the ball position, and the referee ruled accordingly. For the fourth time, stupid rule, correct interpretation. Your Broncos won, let it go. My Dragons will be summarily slaughtered on Sunday - feel free to mock me on the day.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
They certainly aren't the Rabbit of Caerbannog at the moment.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
I backed themtoo, Nat. I am loving the enthusiasm and the defence. These guys are starting to believe in themselves.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
With regards to what the referee says: "he's gotta try to pick it up and run. You can't just dive on the loose ball in there". Absolutely to the letter of the law, provided he's not tackled. Which he was.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Taaffe has a big heart but no speed, acceleration or x-factor. I don't think he has ever made a line break.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I was against Souths letting Reynolds and Gagai go.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Good coaching from Kevvie
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Dunno if Taafe is NRL standard at fullback, couldn’t catch last year, can’t catch this year. Souths pack wouldn’t hurt your grandmother. Carrigan schooled the lot of them in tough relentlessness.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Sorry mate, in all seriousness, walk me through your interpretation of the rule. In my opinion, the referee got it wrong. With respect to the wording: If there is no acting halfback There was no acting half so play on it is permissible for a player to dive behind the tackled player and drop on the ball after it has been heeled Herbie dived on the ball, play on provided that, unless tackled He was tackled immediately by Cook , he immediately regains his feet This part is irrelevant since he was tackled. Broncos ball . (note commas are in my original post)
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
They couldn't cope with the Broncos line speed and swarming defence - Cody and Ilias had no time to set up much in attack - credit to the Broncos who are on a real high at the moment - some great young players - Carrigan, Farnsworth, Staggs, Cobbo - good signs for them
Mutley
Roar Rookie
Compared to the south's supporter's turn up?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
And Souths forwards were pretty ordinary - Broncos defence was immense