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Sydney Roosters
14
Match Complete
South Sydney Rabbitohs
30
| 73 |  | L. Mitchell | ||
| 71 |  | I. Tass | ||
| S. Walker | | 55 | ||
| N. Butcher | | 54 | ||
| 52 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 51 | | J. Arrow | ||
| 47 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 46 | | A. Johnston | ||
| 23 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 22 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| D. Tupou | | 12 | ||
| A. Crichton | | 9 | ||
| 6 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 5 | | A. Johnston |
| 3 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
The first week of the NRL finals comes to a close this afternoon when the Sydney Roosters host the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:05pm (AEST).
With finals as important as they are, we’ve had the added bonus this weekend of a number of traditional rivals lining up against one other. Arguably, NRL rivalries don’t come any bigger than this match-up.
We had a dress rehearsal last round, with the Roosters taking a comfortable 26-16 win over the Bunnies. Souths fans will point to the absence of Damien Cook and Cameron Murray’s first-minute concussion. They may well be onto something, with these two crucial.
The Rabbitohs rely on Cook and Murray to create speed in the ruck, providing opportunities for the likes of Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell. However, the rest of the Souths pack needs to aim up as well, and they were beaten last week.
Murray has been named but will need to pass concussion protocols to play. Cook returns at hooker, moving Siliva Havili to the bench and Peter Mamouzelos out of the 17. Campbell Graham also returns to the backline.
Trent Robinson will know the Roosters will need to up their game this afternoon, however the blueprint is largely unchanged. They will look to dominate the ruck through their forward pack. If they can do that, James Tedesco could be in for a big day out.
The other big improvement in the Roosters over the last month is the form of their halves pairing, Sam Walker and Luke Keary. That’s come as a result of an extended period playing together, so they each now fully understand their role in the team.
Joseph Manu is out with a calf strain with his spot taken by Paul Momirovski. Daniel Tupou and Joseph Suaalii have both been named to play. Victor Radley returns from a head knock with Siosiua Taukeiaho named at prop and Matt Lodge returning to the bench.
Prediction
This promises to be a beauty. The Rabbitohs are definitely a stronger side than last week, with Joey Manu’s absence weakening their opposition.
It’s hard to go past the Roosters though, with their form in recent weeks giving them a chance of going all the way to the title.
Roosters to get up in a tight one.
Roosters by 4.
Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEST)
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
TV/Stream: Nine, Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, NRL Live Pass
Odds: Roosters: $1.60; Rabbitohs: $2.35 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Drew Hutchison 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Adam Keighran 17. Matthew Lodge
Rabbitohs
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray
Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Hame Sele 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Siliva Havili
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