Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Arnold
Paladin
Craig HillRound 23 preview - Rabbitohs vs Sea-Eagles
August 20th 2007 05:29
VENUE and TIME: Telstra Stadium 7:00pm AEST, Monday August 20
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 117, Sea Eagles 64, Rabbitohs 53
LAST TIME: Sea Eagles 14 - Rabbitohs 2 at Brookvale Oval, round 14, 2007
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), Triple M Radio
MEDICAL ROOM:
The Rabbitohs will again be without interchange forward Manase Manuokafoa (knee), while forwards David Kidwell (knee - season), Stuart Webb (ankle - season) and Jaiman Lowe (hand - indefinite) remain on the sidelines.
Manly should regain the services of centre Steve Matai (neck) and prop Jason King (knee) for next weekend’s clash against the Warriors. Hooker Michael Monaghan returns after missing last Friday thrashing of the Knights, while Townsville-bound five-eighth Travis Burns (back) is hopeful of a run after being named on a seven-man bench.
FORM:
The Rabbitohs kept their finals hopes alive after breaking a 19-year WIN Stadium hoodoo to beat the Dragons. Their 22-14 win was built on the hard work of their forwards, with five of the Souths’ starting unit running for more than 100 metres. The Rabbitohs are now sitting just outside the top eight on points differential.
The second placed Sea Eagles made it six wins in a row when they thrashed the hapless Knights 50-16 in Gosford. Manly were at their clinical best in their demolition of the Knights, with Des Hasler’s men completing 93% of their sets in the match. They have now scored 222 points in the past six weeks and appear to be hitting their straps at the right time of the season.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Roy Asotasi vs Brent Kite
With this match tipped to be won in the forwards, the form of these two representative props will be crucial to their team’s chances.
Asotasi has been the Rabbitohs best forward this season, with the Kiwi man mountain continually battling his way over the advantage line, putting his side in prime field position. The giant Kiwi prop is also capable of pulling off the odd bone jarring hit to fire up his team-mates. Expect him to target the dangerous Anthony Watmough.
After enduring a gruelling season in which he has played 19 games for Manly and two Origin matches for the Blues, Kite enjoyed a more relaxed role against the Knights, with Hasler using the prop in short sharp bursts. The limited game time would have re-energised Kite for the Sea Eagles run home and he could prove to be particularly damaging against Souths on Monday night.
Nathan Merritt vs Brett Stewart
Merritt is growing into one of the genuine stars of the competition. Last year he topped the NRL try-scorer’s list on the wing; most recently he forced David Peachey out of the No. 1 jersey, providing the Rabbitohs with some straight, hard-running at back. From 20 runs against the Dragons he made 150m and six tackle busts, but it was his work in defence that was most impressive, especially when he thwarted what looked like a certain Chris Houtson try for the Dragons. It prompted coach Jason Taylor to declare “That was our season right there.” It was his ninth tackle save all year. Merrit has crossed for 10 tries so far this season and could prove to be the match-winner again on Monday night.
Stewart will be looking to add to his astonishing try scoring tally against the Rabbitohs this Monday night. The classy custodian has crossed for 14 tries so far this season and will be looking to build on his solid combination with Matt Orford. The Sea Eagles appear to have too much strike-power out wide for the Rabbitohs, with Stewart, Michael Robertson and Chris Hicks combining for 34 tries this season.
VERDICT:
The Rabbitohs have struggled to score points all season and it’s hard to see that changing against a Manly side that is rock-solid in defence. South Sydney have won their past four at Telstra Stadium, but they come up against a Sea Eagles side that has the second most potent left side attack in the competition (behind the Storm), with 42 tries scored. Manly have won 11 of their past 14 night games and should make it 12 here.
Sea Eagles by 6
South Sydney Rabbitohs Team
Nathan Merritt, Fetuli Talanoa, Nigel Vagana, Yileen Gordon, Paul Mellor, Joe Williams, Jeremy Smith, Peter Cusack (c), Isaac Luke, Roy Asotasi (c), John Sutton, David Faalogo, Ben Rogers
Bench: Shane Rigon, Dean Widders, Luke Stuart, Michael Greenfield
Manly Sea Eagles Team
Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Steve Menzies, Chris Hicks, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford (c), Mark Bryant, Michael Monaghan, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson
Bench: Matt Ballin, Glenn Hall, Adam Cuthbertson, Jack Afamasaga, Clint Halden, Travis Burns, Jason Wells
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 117, Sea Eagles 64, Rabbitohs 53
LAST TIME: Sea Eagles 14 - Rabbitohs 2 at Brookvale Oval, round 14, 2007
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), Triple M Radio
MEDICAL ROOM:
The Rabbitohs will again be without interchange forward Manase Manuokafoa (knee), while forwards David Kidwell (knee - season), Stuart Webb (ankle - season) and Jaiman Lowe (hand - indefinite) remain on the sidelines.
Manly should regain the services of centre Steve Matai (neck) and prop Jason King (knee) for next weekend’s clash against the Warriors. Hooker Michael Monaghan returns after missing last Friday thrashing of the Knights, while Townsville-bound five-eighth Travis Burns (back) is hopeful of a run after being named on a seven-man bench.
FORM:
The Rabbitohs kept their finals hopes alive after breaking a 19-year WIN Stadium hoodoo to beat the Dragons. Their 22-14 win was built on the hard work of their forwards, with five of the Souths’ starting unit running for more than 100 metres. The Rabbitohs are now sitting just outside the top eight on points differential.
The second placed Sea Eagles made it six wins in a row when they thrashed the hapless Knights 50-16 in Gosford. Manly were at their clinical best in their demolition of the Knights, with Des Hasler’s men completing 93% of their sets in the match. They have now scored 222 points in the past six weeks and appear to be hitting their straps at the right time of the season.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Roy Asotasi vs Brent Kite
With this match tipped to be won in the forwards, the form of these two representative props will be crucial to their team’s chances.
Asotasi has been the Rabbitohs best forward this season, with the Kiwi man mountain continually battling his way over the advantage line, putting his side in prime field position. The giant Kiwi prop is also capable of pulling off the odd bone jarring hit to fire up his team-mates. Expect him to target the dangerous Anthony Watmough.
After enduring a gruelling season in which he has played 19 games for Manly and two Origin matches for the Blues, Kite enjoyed a more relaxed role against the Knights, with Hasler using the prop in short sharp bursts. The limited game time would have re-energised Kite for the Sea Eagles run home and he could prove to be particularly damaging against Souths on Monday night.
Nathan Merritt vs Brett Stewart
Merritt is growing into one of the genuine stars of the competition. Last year he topped the NRL try-scorer’s list on the wing; most recently he forced David Peachey out of the No. 1 jersey, providing the Rabbitohs with some straight, hard-running at back. From 20 runs against the Dragons he made 150m and six tackle busts, but it was his work in defence that was most impressive, especially when he thwarted what looked like a certain Chris Houtson try for the Dragons. It prompted coach Jason Taylor to declare “That was our season right there.” It was his ninth tackle save all year. Merrit has crossed for 10 tries so far this season and could prove to be the match-winner again on Monday night.
Stewart will be looking to add to his astonishing try scoring tally against the Rabbitohs this Monday night. The classy custodian has crossed for 14 tries so far this season and will be looking to build on his solid combination with Matt Orford. The Sea Eagles appear to have too much strike-power out wide for the Rabbitohs, with Stewart, Michael Robertson and Chris Hicks combining for 34 tries this season.
VERDICT:
The Rabbitohs have struggled to score points all season and it’s hard to see that changing against a Manly side that is rock-solid in defence. South Sydney have won their past four at Telstra Stadium, but they come up against a Sea Eagles side that has the second most potent left side attack in the competition (behind the Storm), with 42 tries scored. Manly have won 11 of their past 14 night games and should make it 12 here.
Sea Eagles by 6
South Sydney Rabbitohs Team
Nathan Merritt, Fetuli Talanoa, Nigel Vagana, Yileen Gordon, Paul Mellor, Joe Williams, Jeremy Smith, Peter Cusack (c), Isaac Luke, Roy Asotasi (c), John Sutton, David Faalogo, Ben Rogers
Bench: Shane Rigon, Dean Widders, Luke Stuart, Michael Greenfield
Manly Sea Eagles Team
Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Steve Menzies, Chris Hicks, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford (c), Mark Bryant, Michael Monaghan, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson
Bench: Matt Ballin, Glenn Hall, Adam Cuthbertson, Jack Afamasaga, Clint Halden, Travis Burns, Jason Wells
| 51 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Go to Craig Hill's home page by clicking here
Comment by scorcher2315