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South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons: NRL finals highlights, live scores, blog

15th September, 2018
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Rabbitohs

13

Match Complete

Dragons

12

80
RAB13 : 12DRA

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Roar Guru
15th September, 2018
218
3557 Reads

Rabbitohs

13

Match Complete

Dragons

12

A. Reynolds79
A. Reynolds77
75Z. Lomax
A. Reynolds69
A. Reynolds59
A. Reynolds57
A. Reynolds55
53Z. Lomax
37Z. Lomax
35B. Hunt
22Z. Lomax
A. Reynolds9

1
Tries
1
1
Conversions
1
2
Penalty Goals
3
3
Field Goals
0

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A preliminary final berth awaits as the South Sydney Rabbitohs look to put last week’s one-point loss behind them against the rejuvenated St George Illawarra Dragons. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:40pm (AEST).

The Rabbitohs pushed defending premiers Melbourne to the final seconds last week, falling 29-28 and would have left AAMI Park frustrated after surrendering a six-point lead with eight minutes remaining.

The real risk for Anthony Seibold’s men this week is that, dejected by falling just short in Melbourne, the Rabbitohs will struggle to get over last Friday’s result and may fall apart if they concede an early lead.

Therefore, a strong start is crucial for restoring confidence in the playing group.

Also critical to Saturday night’s contest is the form of South Sydney’s forward pack. Outside of Cam Murray, the rest of the Rabbitohs’ big men were unable to provide the platform needed for Damien Cook to explode.

While Sam Burgess was certainly trying, errors crept into his game and the 29-year old came out this week to openly express his disappointment with his own performance.

He can’t do it alone though and will need brothers George and Tom Burgess to also stand up as they prepare for a Dragons pack that has rediscovered its mojo.

Paul McGregor’s men were rated next to no chance of upsetting the Broncos last week.

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Yet they did just that, thumping Brisbane 48-18. And they did it without Gareth Widdop, Jack de Belin and James Graham, who all failed to last the full eighty minutes.

Widdop has been ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury as is replaced at five-eighth by Kurt Mann. Meanwhile, both de Belin and Graham have been named and are expected to play through the pain as the Dragons look to cause another boilover.

Last week’s dominant performance was built on the back of their forward pack, led by three-try tearaway Tariq Sims.

While the loss of Widdop is a big one, it won’t mean all too much if the Dragons’ big men can roll upfield and give Mann and halfback Ben Hunt the platform needed to pile on the points.

Prediction
South Sydney may have faltered last week but they were still impressive in defeat. If they realise that and can direct their focus solely towards Saturday night’s game, they should be too good.

Rabbitohs by 14.

We are just 15 sleeps away from the biggest day on the rugby league calendar. Join The Roar as we find out who is through to the preliminary finals with live scores and a blog of the Rabbitohs and Dragons match, starting at 7:40pm (AEST).

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Game info

Kick-off: 7:40pm (AEST)
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
TV: Live, Fox League, Nine Network
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, 9Now
Betting: Broncos $1.25, Dragons $4
Overall record: Played 30; Dragons 17 wins, Rabbitohs 13 wins
Last meeting: Rabbitohs won 24-10 at ANZ Stadium in Round 10 earlier this year
Referees: Gerard Sutton, Ben Cummins

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Alex Johnston 2. Campbell Graham 3. Greg Inglis 4. Dane Gagai 5. Robert Jennings 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. George Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Angus Crichton 13. Sam Burgess 14. Hymel Hunt 15. Cameron Murray 16. Jason Clark 17. Dean Britt 18. Braidon Burns 19. Mark Nicholls 20. Junior Tatola 21. Connor Tracey

St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Matthew Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Zac Lomax 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Kurt Mann 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Hame Sele 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Jason Nightingale 19. Jai Field 20. Euan Aitken 21. Jacob Host

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