Rabbitohs
18
Match Complete
Wests Tigers
10
| 68 |  | R. Hoffman | ||
| 65 |  | M. Mbye | ||
| 63 | | J. Aloiai | ||
| D. Gagai | | 56 | ||
| J. Roberts | | 46 | ||
| D. Gagai | | 37 | ||
| D. Gagai | | 32 | ||
| A. Reynolds |  | 7 |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 0 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The NRL action continues tonight with the clash between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers, coming to you from Bankwest Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:55pm AEST.
The stakes are high for this one tonight. For the winner, a place in the top eight at the end of the round. For the loser, it’s not panic stations by any means, but in a shortened season you don’t want to lose touch with the eight.
It’s hard to get a read on the Rabbits at the moment. There’s no doubt that they have a talented squad, but they are one or two steps below the best teams in the comp at present.
It was on display last Sunday night. The Rabbits comfortably beat the Bulldogs but didn’t look that good in doing so.
Centre Braidon Burns is out with a season-ending knee injury and his place in the 17 is taken by Bayley Sironen. Wayne Bennett may yet elect to replace Sironen with an interchange back.
The Wests Tigers are a tough, gritty side looking for their first big scalp of the year.
They almost got it last week against the Penrith Panthers. However, the Panthers played strongly in the second half and, coupled with some ill discipline by Joey Leilua specifically, it was enough to get the Panthers home in a tight contest.
There is a bit of extra spice in this one too, with Adam Doueihi lining up against his former club.
In changes, Michael Chee-Kam starts at centre for the suspended Leilua while Chris Lawrence gets a spot on the bench. There is also some mail around that Benji Marshall will be in the squad this weekend.
Prediction
Souths are backing up from a five-day turnaround, which makes things tougher for them.
However, I think the quality of this team is about to shine through, with the likes of Cameron Murray and Damien Cook due for big games.
South Sydney Rabbitohs by eight.
Game information
When: 7:55pm AEST
Where: Bankwest Stadium
TV: Channel 9, Fox League
Online: Kayo, Live Pass
Betting: South Sydney Rabbitohs $1.54, Wests Tigers $2.50
South Sydney Rabbitohs squad
1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Dane Gagai, 3. Campbell Graham, 4. James Roberts, 5. Alex Johnston, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Jaydn Su’A, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange 14. Liam Knight, 15. Bayley Sironen, 16. Patrick Mago, 17. Hame Sele.
Wests Tigers squad
1. Adam Doueihi, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Michael Chee-Kam, 4. Moses Mbye, 5. Tommy Talau, 6. Josh Reynolds, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Oliver Clark, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Matt Eisenhuth. Interchange: 14. Elijah Taylor, 15. Thomas Mikaele, 16. Sam McIntyre, 17. Chris Lawrence.
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
Wests attack was terrible yet they still crossed for two tries. Lucky Souths played a team who struggled in that department. At best the Wabbits will finish 9th.
Davico
Roar Pro
I totally agree that players should not kick out at the ball in dangerous positions. What is even more dangerous is the sliding with the feet and knees to try and prevent a try. I know that BJ has form, but can somone tell me what the difference is between hat BJ and Latrell did? If we are judging each offence on it's merits, then Latrell should get the same charge as BJ got last week.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Didn’t suggest that he would - that’s why I said wish list
Ian_
Roar Rookie
I reckon he'll get a week. I think both he and Reynolds should have been sent off. If only to teach players the lesson that you don't kick out at the ball when someone's head is near it, and in Mitchell's case, that if you stick your arm out when beaten and collect someone around the head, there is a significant penalty to you and your team. It should be really simple for the NRL. Any contact around the head carries a significant penalty. I think any foul play that results in a player needing a HIA is a reasonable threshhold for a send off.
EastsFootyFan
Roar Guru
It was in the same class as Leilua last week - he got 4 weeks, so if they're consistent then that's what he's looking at.
EastsFootyFan
Roar Guru
You'd have to think Latrell will miss a few weeks with that late swinging arm to Reynolds... third man in, late and right to the head. It was a copy of Leilua last week
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
Im not a coach, and not trying to be Wayne, but if I was I'd start with a chat to Latrell. I actually back him to make it as a FB, if he wants it enough, but right now his best position is still centre. Back to the "Wayne chat", I'd be saying I'm backing you at FB, but you need to help me help you. I think one of the biggest weaknesses with the Bunnies at the moment is their forward pack (in that its "average" at FG level, but not a strength) and having a FB (in training) that is a solid centre, I think he should be doing more to earn his keep by taking at least 1 play/hit up out of defence (where practical). From what I've seen, or at least the way I'm seeing it, Latrell seems to only run the ball back if he has a bucket load of open space, and even then passes off before he gets near a defended (the I've done my job as FB, over to you attitude), and Gagai seems to be doing more than his share of bringing the ball back.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks all for following the blog tonight. Have a good weekend and I will be back on Sunday afternoon for the Knights and Eels
David Holden
Roar Guru
I'm doing the Knights and Eels on Sunday afternoon. Not sure about the other games unfortunately
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Thanks David. Cheers
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Both teams looked flat and slow to me.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Mate. I'm sitting bottom of the "experts" ladder, starting to question my role...
David Holden
Roar Guru
For the Rabbits, they are back at Bankwest next weekend against the Knights. The Tigers will hope to get back in the winner's list against the Broncos
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Rabbits are held on tonight to beat the Tigers 18-10. In the end, it was a 4 tries to 2 win although the Tigers did threaten a comeback late. After a slow start this season, the Rabbits are finding their groove with their spine better this week. The Tigers once again tried hard but uncharacteristic errors either side of half time cost them dearly
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
looked like a chance with Benji. And congrats to the Souths boys. For Tigers, it really looks like another year at #9. I can't see who they will displace unless someone collapses. That loss to GC will be telling.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks for another good call, David. Do you know if there will be any more live blogs this weekend?
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
How the hell do we keep letting them go.?
Adam
Roar Guru
To be frank, neither should be allowed to commentate at all...
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT. Rabbits beat the Tigers 18-10
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Chee-Kam is taken down. The Rabbits have held on to win here. It's Full Time Rabbits 18 Tigers 10