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 |
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.
Game information
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
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Panthers the better team last year going the long way around... tell that to the Eels who got robbed blind in the greatest travesty in Rugby League after the Tigers being robbed of 2 competition points against the Cowboys! For 3 years in a row (certainly 2020 - 2021) the Panthers had one of the easiest draws in the NRL. That fact was confirmed by numerous media outlets. Of course all the lopsided penalty counts in the Panthers favour, illegal blocking for Nathan Cleary's kicking game, overlooking obstruction tries (like the one against the Rabbitohs) and allowing the Panthers twice as long to stay in the tackle than their opponents didn't influence their success at all, right Jenny? :laughing:
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Panthers the better team last year going the long way around. Panthers the better team this year taking the short cut.
Gauss
Roar Rookie
Has got better as the season's gone on TB. Now almost filling the huge hole left by Gagai.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Rellum, the Bunnies always had a top notch roster since 2012 and Seibs or Bennett didn't change anything, what I give Bennett credit for is this, that he drew Trell to play for us and that's it. While JD is just continuing what was there with Bennett but you can't do that without the top notch roster that we have. Don't forget that we lost one of best players in Reno which me thinks irrespective of what anyone says, Ilias has allot to catch up on and a few times in this game, he made some rookie mistakes that could have cost us the game. All in all, the Bunnies will have to win some mighty big games before ever getting into the 2022 GF as its definitely not as easy as 2021.
John Neeson
Guest
Bring back $hayne
John Neeson
Guest
Bring back $hayne Hayne
John Neeson
Guest
Great JWH impression
John Neeson
Guest
Corruption in an Easts game never hahahaha
matth
Roar Guru
Poor effort from JWH, he left it way too late to take out Burgess.
matth
Roar Guru
The Bunnies always do the job … except every year since 2014 and the forty or so years before that :shocked:
Mon
Guest
Ahhh nope. You were just having your usual whaaaa about home grounds again. Though you are right in that you make it very easy.
steveng
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: that's about right, as that is the only way that all you chooks can do it, good onya you hero! But but but that time won't come this year as it will be the reverse as we've got that brick reserved for the Panthers as the chooks are irrelevant :laughing: in 2022
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Maybe the chifforobe fell on his head, whilst moving.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Had it right first time. Can't see two more wins means the Prelim, their fort'e, and up against their favourite team.
Tony
Roar Guru
Boo Radley, from To Kill a Mockingbird?
Tony
Roar Guru
Or first grade ever again
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Was talking about the upcoming Sharks game here. Panthers ultimately will play anywhere, like in 2020. Couldn't have made it any easier for you.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Every match he's involved in has drama .
Clint
Roar Rookie
No worries. I'll go away. But I'll be back when you get knocked out and I'll put a brick on my capslock when I give it to you
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
The referee and bunker lost control Noel. Fans shouldn't apologise for that and frankly I'm tired of apologies from Annesley and mad V'lad. They need to FIX it! They need to fix it fast!