South Sydney Rabbitohs
44
Match Complete
Wests Tigers
18
| B. Taaffe |  | 79 | ||
| J. Paulo |  | 77 | ||
| B. Taaffe | | 72 | ||
| C. Walker | | 70 | ||
| B. Taaffe | | 66 | ||
| C. Walker | | 64 | ||
| A. Johnston | | 59 | ||
| C. Graham | | 51 | ||
| K. Nikorima | | 48 | ||
| A. Johnston | | 47 | ||
| 39 | | L. Brooks | ||
| 38 | | K. Maumalo | ||
| K. Nikorima | | 34 | ||
| S. Havili | | 33 | ||
| K. Nikorima | | 24 | ||
| A. Johnston | | 23 | ||
| 14 |  | L. Brooks | ||
| 8 | | K. Maumalo | ||
| 7 | | L. Brooks | ||
| 5 | | A. Kepaoa |
| 8 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 6 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The South Sydney Rabbitohs take on the Wests Tigers at Accor Stadium in Round 12 of the NRL. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEST.
At the start of the season, many saw the Rabbitohs as premiership favourites. However, in what can only be described as a major recruitment blunder, at least in hindsight, the loss of Adam Reynolds has seemingly derailed their season.
The 32-12 loss to the Raiders last weekend could well be the low point of the season so far. The error count was horrendous, with their marquee players playing well below their price tag.
These same players, Damien Cook, Cody Walker and Jai Arrow, need to produce their best this week. Walker always seems to produce his best for Indigenous Round and he gets a further opportunity here.
In a big in for the Rabbitohs, Cameron Murray is listed in the reserves and looks a big chance to return. Prop Mark Nicholls returns from injury on the bench, with Trent Peoples missing out on a spot in the 17.
The Tigers notched their third win of the season last weekend, comfortably beating the Bulldogs 36-22. After a horrid start to the season, the Tigers are off the bottom of the table and looking to beat the Rabbitohs for the second time this season.
Jackson Hastings has taken all the pressure off Luke Brooks and has turned this team around. They haven’t got the roster to make the top 8, but you know 100% effort will be there every weekend.
After a month out, Daine Laurie returns at fullback, with Luke Brooks also coming back from injury. Starford To’A moves from fullback to centre with Tyrone Peachey and Josh Madden missing out on selection. Asu Kepaoa and Jake Simpkin both return for the Tigers.
Prediction
Although South Sydney still cling onto a place in the 8, they have a number of teams breathing down their neck and Origin just around the corner.
They will be hurting after the loss last weekend and one suspects a bit of soul searching was done.
I expect the Rabbits to bounce back.
South Sydney Rabbitohs by 14.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:30pm AEST
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Rabbitohs $1.44, Tigers $2.80 – odds via PlayUp
South Sydney
1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jaxson Paulo 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Hame Sele
Interchange: 14. Liam Knight 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Siliva Havili 17. Blake Taaffe
Wests Tigers
1. Daine Laurie 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Starford To’a 4. Brent Naden 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jackson Hastings 8. James Tamou 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange: 14. Kelma Tuilagi 15. Alex Twal 16. Fa’amanu Brown 17. Stefano Utoikamanu
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
You are looking at NRL Triumvirate backers FOX Sports stat's Westie. Go to the source, NRL.com stats. Penalties conceded: Souths 4, Tigers 2 Conceded... that means the Tigers won the penalty count 4 - 2. Sixagains 4 - 1 to Souths. All together that's 6 - 5 to the Tigers. Did you see how long the Tigers were allowed to stay in the tackle and have their hands and arms all over the ball? They were lucky it wasn't more.
steveng
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Dumbo Big Ears or Mr. Demetriou still a mystery how he gets so many things wrong? When its so 'plain to see' what the problems are at the Bunnies so far GB, at least last night we had some sort of a grubber kicking game on the 10m for once' and Cook, Nikorima and even Ilias were attempting to have a go and try things out, which I've been screaming about since R2. IMO Kodi Nikorima has to be put at half with C. Walker and Ilias be an interchange, as Kodi is wasted at FB like he was last night and he could add that wow factor even more so than Reynolds did if given a chance and confidence, as and as usual, another one has slipped by with Milf as look how good he's going at the Knights.
Westie
Guest
You’re always saying about lopsided penalties counts & six agains, for other clubs. South’s 7-2 six agains, South’s 9-5 penalties. Plus , just about every other decision their way. Poor old Tigers hardly touched the ball in the second half. Definitely a rarity in South’s half . That’s why South’s were able to run away with it . Lucky the Referee was on South’s side hey!
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Have you seen the size of his ears though? It wasn't hard to come up with the nickname. He gets to keep that until he stops acting like a deer caught in the headlights and acts like a real coach! I shouldn't have to be telling JD how to pick his side or organise his structures. But have I been wrong in my criticisms? And what happened every time he made the changes I suggested? Just like Johnny Depp's lawyers, I rest my case.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Dumbo Big Ears............Jumbo/Dumbo.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Changed it for you Phil. BTW, tonight I have called him Dumbo Big Ears and Mr Magoo just for the record. :silly:
Phil
Roar Rookie
Geez GB, you are going soft on JD. Last week he was Jumbo Bigears and now he is only a mere Demetriou!!
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Mate, Madge has both hands tied behind his back when you compare his squad with the other top 10 teams. The Tigers were all over Souths in the first half and did what Souths are guilty of. Clocking off and coasting to the finish line when they have a big lead. Remember the recent Warriors game? Again, Luke Brooks let the Tigers down at key moments tonight kicking the ball out on the full and inviting Souths to camp in the Tigers half. Adam Doueihi will be back in a few weeks and the Tigers will benefit from his return. Good luck.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
And Souths will still struggle to get the 2 points David. Wait and see.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Dumbo Big Ears is still clueless! It took him 58 mins to swap Paulo and Milne. A change I have been calling for for weeks. . He also insists on splitting our halves and locking them on separate sides of the field for much of the game instead of having them link up like Reynolds and Walker have for the last 4 years. . Ilias isn’t up to first-grade. Taaffe or Nikorima would do much better. Demetriou backed this kid and said nothing when Reynolds was forced out of the club. He said nothing because he backed the wrong horse instead of trusting in a proven champion who can even make that Broncos rabble look good.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Losing/bottom of the ladder teams drop their bundle quicker and spend the second half looking over their shoulder and not going on and keep scoring. That's what the Storm do which is a big reason they stay on top year after year.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Poor old Tigers. Played well for 40 minutes then crumbled like a biscuit.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
For once.
David Holden
Roar Guru
sorry, in the half time penalty count
peterj
Roar Rookie
Forgot what it felt like to win for a bit there. Cook, Burgess, Sele and Havili awesome but Campbell Graham was outstanding. I may be biased but he’s one of the most improved players in the comp. He was sensational tonight and has been all season. Great win!
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Nope!
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I don't know what to make of my own club!
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks very much for following the blogs this afternoon. Enjoy your Sunday
Phil
Roar Rookie
Last night we had a team leading 24 - 4 at half time and were belted 31 nil in the 2nd half. Tonight we have a team leading at half time and get walloped 32 nil after half time. Sometimes I don't know what to make of the game.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Both sides have the bye next week so it is a 4 point win for South Sydney