Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium, Sunday 4:05pm AEDT
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou i 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 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Adam Keighran 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Kevin Naiqama 19. Terrell May 20. Oliver Gildart 21. Fletcher Baker 22. Siua Wong
Rabbitohs team: 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 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Hame Sele 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Siliva Havili 18. Blake Taaffe 19. Jaxson Paulo 20. Davvy Moale 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Josh Mansour
Last Week
I was at Allianz Stadium last Friday, it’s an awesome venue and the atmosphere was electric but the Rabbitohs were doomed after the 2nd tackle of the game when Captain Cam put his head in precisely the wrong spot of a Ken Naiquama charge.
The ‘Evil Empire’ then went on to dominate us and even though we hung in there and held our own in the 2nd half, the damage was done and it’s going to take a mighty effort on Sunday to halt the Teddy led tri colours and snap their 8 game winning streak.
Sudden Death Sunday
During our live (& free) stream at Redfern yesterday Coach JD & Cookie made timely returns from Covid-19 plus we saw Cam stroll onto the field looking ok. ‘Stretch’ Graham seemed to be going through a fitness test but showed no signs that he won’t be ready to go on Sunday.
We’ll be going live with commentary again at Saturday mornings captains run to have a close look at the 17 wearing the black shirts of the top squad.
If the team stays as selected then both Cam & Cookie will give us a huge defensive upgrade in the middle and Stretch will obviously do the same on the right side.
Big Tommy B drops to the bench allowing ‘The Goat’ to start at prop and Kodi Nikorima will play 14 giving us 3 forwards and a utility off the pine.
At the Red & Green ball on Saturday night the mood in the room was extremely confident that we’ll bounce back and hammer the Chooks. I’m of the opinion that we absolutely can do it but it’s a 50/50 call after what I saw the Roosters do on Friday and the week before against the Storm.
Joey Manu is a loss that’s impossible to cover for them and that alone could be the difference but the return of Victor the Inflictor, Sua’ali’i and Tupou cushions the Manu blow.
The Bunnies need a supreme performance up front led by George Piggins medallist Junior Tatola assisted by a pack that has shown they can match it with the best of them on their day. That day needs to be Sunday then every game right through to the GF.
Another essential ingredient is big games from both Lachy Ilias and Cody Walker. Pinpoint kicks, taking on the line, line break and try assists and confidently steering the team around the park will go a long way to securing victory over our arch rivals.
If the forwards and halves perform then our outside backs have the quality to put plenty of points on. Trell Mit must see tonnes of footy and match the intensity of his opposite number 1, the ball hogging, freakishly talented James Tedesco.
A monster game from Trell is due and wouldn’t it be satisfying to see him shut the booing mouths of the Easts fans that so easily turn on one of their own.
Prediction
The Chooks completed at an eye watering 87% last week so on Sunday we need to start well, hold the ball and complete around 90% of our sets, build pressure on them, play mistake free football, kick long and have super fast and effective defensive line speed.
If we do that then play some footy in attack we give ourselves every chance to silence the smug Chookie fans and send the Bondi boys off to an early mad Monday. Souths by 6
By Steve Mavin with thanks to Rabbitoh Warren.
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