NRL. ROUND 11, MAY 12TH, 2023, SOUTH SYDNEY v WEST TIGERS
ACCOR STADIUM,SYDNEY
Souths are nearing competition favouritism and could very well claim it in Round 11 with a big win over Wests Tigers.
Simply put, they have been exceptional.
They were just slightly slow from the blocks at the beginning of their campaign, but Souths have continued to go from strength to strength, and in most pundits’ opinions, they are now the best team in the competition. I certainly think that.
Obviously, the Tigers haven’t been very good at all this season and remain anchored to the bottom of the table, but they’ve improved noticeably since a week off.
After only just missing against Manly, they’ve since beaten Penrith and St George, and are playing with a little more style and confidence.
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. Hame Sele 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jai Arrow 15. Jed Cartwright 16. Liam Knight 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Blake Taaffe 19. Richard Kennar 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Ben Lovett 22. Dean Hawkins
Tigers team:
1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Alex Twal 17. Asu Kepaoa 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Justin Matamua 20. Shawn Blore 21. Daine Laurie 22. Triston Reilly
STATS.
Tigers have lost their last 14 games in Sydney
Rabbitohs are on a five-game winning streak
Tigers have covered a +16.5 line in eight of their nine games this season
Tigers have covered a +16.5 line in seven of their last eight games vs Rabbitohs
At least 45 points have been scored in the last three meetings
Over 37.5 points has landed in Rabbitohs’ last five games
Alex Johnston has scored 82 tries inn 84 games at Accor Stadium
Latrell Mitchell has scored six tries in his last nine games vs Tigers
David Nofoaluma has scored a try in his last two games vs Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs are the form team in the competition as they look to rack up another big win when they face the last-placed Tigers on Saturday.
Souths are on a five-game winning streak heading into this encounter, beating the Bulldogs, Dolphins, Panthers, Broncos and Storm over the last month.
Four of those victories have been by 13+ margins, highlighting their dominance, with the last three over Penrith, Brisbane and Melbourne coming against three of the very best teams in the competition.
Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker are firing on all cylinders, while Campbell Graham is arguably the form centre in the competition.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have hit some resurgent form over the last fortnight, backing up their big upset over the Panthers by edging out the Dragons in Magic Round.
The Tigers will now be gunning for three straight wins for the first time since the 2018 season.
New recruits Api Koroisau, David Klemmer and Isaiah Papali’i are starting to find some form, while boom new fullback Jahream Bula has been outstanding, averting 153 metres since his debut in Round 8 and producing some match-winning try-saving tackles against the Panthers and Dragons.
PREDICTION.
The Tigers have managed to keep games relatively close against the Rabbitohs in recent times and even beat them 23-22 last season. With two wins under their belt, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if the Tigers made a match out of this. For me back the Rabbits at 13 plus points.
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