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Rabbitohs
12
Match Complete
Knights
20
| D. Gagai |  | 74 | ||
| S. Burgess |  | 74 | ||
| 55 |  | M. Lino | ||
| 46 | | M. Lino | ||
| 45 | | C. Watson | ||
| D. Gagai | | 39 | ||
| 25 | | M. Barnett | ||
| 19 | | M. Lino | ||
| J. Roberts | | 8 | ||
| 4 | | M. Lino | ||
| 3 | | H. Hunt |
| 2 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The first game after State of Origin 1 will see an undermanned and understrength South Sydney Rabbitohs look to keep a long hoodoo going against the in-form Newcastle Knights, who are coming off a bye. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6pm (AEST).
Just 48 hours after Origin 1, the Rabbitohs and Knights will run onto ANZ Stadium, and both teams are in an absolute rabble, team-selection wise.
South Sydney’s injury problems have been well documented and only got worse during the week as Adam Reynolds had a back fracture confirmed. He is joined on the sideline by Cody Walker, Alex Johnston, Braidon Burns and Kyle Turner, just to name a few.
It means they have the young halves duo of Connor Tracey and Adam Doueihi to run the side, while Corey Allen plays fullback. Damien Cook and Cameron Murray will also attempt to back up from Wednesday night.
On the other side of the coin, Kalyn Ponga will be rested for the Knights, moving Kurt Mann to fullback and bringing Mason Lino into the halves, while Danny Levi is out injured, with Connor Watson named at hooker.
Neither team are going to be anywhere near their normal attacking structure, and while it gives us a look at some different players, this looks like it may come down to which team is able to execute better.
South Sydney will be confident though. The Knights haven’t beaten them in any location since Round 26, 2011, with the Rabbitohs on a nine-match winning streak since then.
They also have a close to full strength forward pack, although fitness questions around Sam Burgess when he really needs to play extra minutes to cater for Murray and Cook backing up are an issue.
Their forwards will need to dominate the game and take the pressure off the young halves duo if they are to win, while Cook’s kicking game out of dummy half is crucial.
The Knights also lose their attacking structure, and could have a lessened impact from David Klemmer as he attempts to back up, so the level of control and kicking game from Mitchell Pearce will be vital.
If he gets it right, the Knights probably stand a chance, but they have lost a lot of flare on the attack and could be a little slow to start after a bye.
Prediction
The Rabbitohs might be understrength, but their forwards should be good enough to overpower Newcastle and win a low-scoring, potentially sloppy, grinding sort of match.
Rabbitohs by 6.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 13 NRL match from 6pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Homebush
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Kayo Sports, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, NRL Digital Pass
Betting: Rabbitohs $1.65, Knights $2.25
Overall record: Played 41, Knights 25, Rabbitohs 16
Last meeting: Round 9, 2018 – Knights 18 defeated by Rabbitohs 36 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Last five: Rabbitohs 5, Knights 0
Record at venue: Played 4, Rabbitohs 3, Knights 1
Referees: Grant Atkins, David Munro
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Corey Allen 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. James Roberts 4. Dane Gagai 5. Campbell Graham 19. Connor Tracey 20. Adam Doueihi 8. George Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Sam Burgess 13. Cameron Murray
Interchange: 14. Tevita Tatola 15. Ethan Lowe 16. Liam Knight 17. Mark Nicholls 21. Dean Britt 22. Billy Brittain
Newcastle Knights
6. Kurt Mann 2. Edrick Lee 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 21. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Connor Watson 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tim Glasby
Interchange: 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. James Gavet 17. Sione Mata’utia 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Tautau Moga
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