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Roosters
30
Match Complete
Rabbitohs
6
| 65 |  | A. Reynolds | ||
| 64 |  | A. Reynolds | ||
| L. Mitchell | | 58 | ||
| J. Tedesco | | 35 | ||
| L. Mitchell | | 30 | ||
| S. Taukeiaho | | 29 | ||
| L. Mitchell | | 26 | ||
| B. Cordner | | 25 | ||
| M. Aubusson | | 10 | ||
| L. Mitchell |  | 8 | ||
| J. Manu | | 2 |
| 6 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Sydney Roosters have defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 30 points to 6 in what was an absolutely dominant display and a complete reversal of last week’s result.
Final score
Sydney Roosters 30
South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
The NRL Finals Series commences with a huge second vs third clash between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs, just one week after the two sides did battle in their final game of the regular season. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
Despite tasting defeat in their previous two encounters this season (round 1 and last week), the Roosters go into this game as red-hot favourites, with many punters thinking it’ll be a case of third time lucky for the defending premiers.
The Roosters welcome back to the side Brett Morris, Luke Keary, Mitch Aubusson and Siosiua Taukeiaho, all of whom missed last week’s clash. This coupled with the fact that many (myself included) aren’t convinced that the better team actually won last week, is the reason for the Roosters’ seemingly unlikely favouritism.
The Roosters dominated early in last week’s game. They took a 10-2 lead into halftime, but it easily could have been 20-2 had a few more passes and kicks found the mark. To their credit, the Rabbitohs were able to wrestle the momentum of the game back, producing a dominant second-half display to win 16-10.
However, their defensive frailties were exposed in that first half, leading many to think that a full-strength Roosters side fully on their game (as they no doubt will be on Friday night) would have put the Rabbitohs to bed before halftime.
To make matters worse for Souths, they will be without representative stars Sam Burgess (suspension) and Dane Gagai (hamstring). The loss of Gagai is offset somewhat by the return of James Roberts who was suspended several weeks ago for a cheap shot on Corey Oates.
While Tevita Tatola will come into the starting side to cover for Sam, and brother George Burgess is now eligible to play again after serving a 9-week suspension for an eye-gouge on the now-retired Robbie Farah (although he has been named in the reserves and not the top 17), there is no real way to replace the loss of Sam Burgess. Even below his best (as he has been for much of 2019) his absence leaves a huge hole for the Rabbitohs to fill.
Prediction
If the Rabbitohs let the Roosters get off to a great start again I don’t think they’ll be contained like they were last week. Starting well needs to be the number one goal for Wayne Bennett’s men. Getting into an early grind with the Roosters is their best chance for victory later in the game.
There is plenty of class across the park for both sides, as there should be in a second vs third match. The Rabbitohs through the likes of Cook, Walker and Murray are just as capable of putting together a quick few tries as the Roosters are through Tedesco, Keary and Mitchell.
What separates the two sides is really the front row. This is the hole that Sam Burgess’s absence leaves. Tevita Tatola and Liam Knight are really going to have to punch above their weight to keep up with Kiwi test players Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (who many will agree is lucky to be taking the field this week after his sickening hit on Knight) and Isaac Liu.
I think the Roosters will have learned plenty from last week’s loss. This will put them in good stead to defeat the Rabbitohs convincingly and advance straight to week 3 of the finals.
Roosters by 14.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm (AEST).
Where: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
When: 7:50pm
TV: Channel 9, Fox League
Streaming: NRL Digital Pass, 9 Now, Kayo Sports
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Boyd Cordner (C) 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley 14. Angus Crichton 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Lindsay Collins 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Drew Hutchison 21. Ryan Hall
Rabbitohs
1. Adam Doueihi 2. Alex Johnston 3. James Roberts 4. Campbell Graham 5. Corey Allan 6. Cody Walker (C) 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Liam Knight 11. John Sutton 12. Jaydn Su’a 13. Cameron Murray 14. Ethan Lowe 15. Dean Britt 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Mark Nicholls 18. George Burgess 19. Bayley Sironen 20. Connor Tracey 21. Mawene Hiroti
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