JUNE 10th 2023 Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
The stage is set for an exhilarating showdown in NRL Round 15 as the South Sydney Rabbitohs prepare to face off against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Both teams are eager to secure a victory and continue their pursuit of success in the competition.
The Rabbitohs showcased their resilience in the previous round with a commanding win over the Titans. However, their triumph came at a cost as Origin representatives Jai Arrow and Cam Murray were forced to leave the field prematurely due to injuries. Arrow suffered an ankle injury, while Murray aggravated a groin issue from the State of Origin opener. Additionally, rumors suggest that the Rabbitohs may be without their influential playmaker, Cody Walker, who is dealing with a quad strain. Despite these setbacks, South Sydney aims to conclude this match on a high note before heading into their first bye week of the season.
Meanwhile, the Dragons are no strangers to close encounters, having pushed the formidable Panthers to their limits in Round 14. Although they narrowly missed out on victory, the Dragons displayed commendable determination, with several potential try-scoring opportunities denied. Captain Ben Hunt delivered another standout performance, exhibiting his leadership qualities and skill set. However, there may be concerns over forward Jack de Belin, who was stretchered off the field following a head knock.
When analyzing the individual statistics, Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker emerges as the NRL’s top try assists provider with an impressive tally of 19. On the other hand, Dragon Ben Hunt ranks fifth on the list, contributing 11 try assists. Another player to watch is Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston, who has already notched 12 tries in just 13 matches this season. With his remarkable form, he is closing in on Steve Menzies’ record as the third highest tryscorer in premiership history.
Looking at the historical context of this matchup, the Dragons seek to achieve consecutive victories against the Rabbitohs for the first time since 2011. However, the Rabbitohs have been dominant in recent encounters, winning eight out of their past nine games against the Dragons. It adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to this clash between the two sides.
Additionally, both teams have notable performers who have excelled at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Dragons halfback Ben Hunt has showcased his scoring ability, netting five tries in his past six games at the venue. Meanwhile, Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa has been in sensational form, scoring seven tries in his last seven outings.
As the South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George Illawarra Dragons prepare to lock horns, fans can expect a thrilling contest filled with skill, determination, and intense rivalry. Stay tuned for updates on the injury front, standout plays, and all the action from this highly-anticipated NRL Round 15 clash at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Rabbitohs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Richard Kennar 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Shaq Mitchell 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Michael Chee Kam 16. Siliva Havili 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 18. Taane Milne 19. Tallis Duncan 20. Ben Lovett 21. Liam Knight 22. Dean Hawkins
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Michael Molo 11. Billy Burns 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Ben Murdoch-Masila 14. Moses Mbye 15. Jaiyden Hunt 16. Josh Kerr 17. Zane Musgrove 18. Talatau Amone 19. Toby Couchman 20. Tautau Moga 21. Jack Bird 22. Blake Lawrie
Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
PREDICTION
The Dragons played well against the Panthers last week, taking the lead twice early; however, they could not continue. They had the perfect chance to win, with Panthers half Nathan Cleary leaving the field with an injury.
The Dragons are a dangerous team when they get going, but they don’t know how to finish games off. While it may seem like a surprise since they have Ben Hunt, he can’t do it all himself and needs more help from his teammates.
The Rabbitohs got back on track with a win over the Titans, but the score line doesn’t tell the whole story. It was a game of two halves, as the Titans looked the better side and went into halftime leading by six points. The Rabbitohs came out firing in the second half, running away with the game and adding more misery to the Titans.
While it’s hard to look past the Rabbitohs this weekend, they will be missing some key players, such as Cameron Murray, Jai Arrow, and Latrell Mitchell, but they still have attacking power to be a problem for any side.
I pick the Rabbits to win here by 7.5 points
Read this too
Comments