Saturday third NRL Round 5 match is between St George Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs with the opening kick to commence at 7:30pm AEDT. The game is to be played at Sydney Cricket Ground which see’s away team South Sydney Rabbitohs hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between St George Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
WHERE AND WHEN: Sydney Cricket Ground, 7:30pm AEDT Apr 5
Teams:
St George Illawarra Dragons:
Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Dylan Farrell, Gerard Beale, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Michael Witt, Tyson Frizell, Mitch Rein, Dan Hunt, Leeson Ah Mau, Ben Creagh, Trent Merrin. Interchange: Jack de Belin, Kyle Stanley, Joel Thompson, Michael Cooper, Adam Quinlan, Jack Stockwell, Bronson Harrison
South Sydney Rabbitohs:
Greg Inglis, Nathan Merritt, Dylan Walker, Joel Reddy, Bryson Goodwin, John Sutton, Adam Reynolds, David Tyrrell, Apisai Koroisau, George Burgess, Chris McQueen, Ben Te’o, Sam Burgess. Interchange: Joe Picker, Kyle Turner, Jason Clark, Luke Burgess, Alex Johnston, Cameron McInnes
News:
Returning St George Illawarra fullback Josh Dugan says the Dragons’ impressive start to the NRL season has taken the heat off coach Steve Price.
After two disappointing seasons since he took over in 2012, Price was seen as one of the most under-pressure coaches heading into this year.
But Dugan says the Dragons’ 3-1 start – that has them perched at the top of the table – has put those concerns to bed.
The NSW star returns from a knee injury for his first NRL game of the year against South Sydney in the round-five clash at the SCG on Saturday and says he is looking forward to building on his side’s impressive form.
“We have taken a lot of heat off the coaching staff and also the players,” Dugan said.
“The players were copping a lot of flak for the way we performed last year and we knew that wasn’t good enough for the club we have and the history it has.
“We definitely wanted to turn thing around and I think we have with the start we have had and now we have to keep on with it.
“Three from four is a good start and hopefully against Souths if we can come out on top of that is a really good sign.”
Dugan’s return comes against arguably the NRL’s premier fullback in Greg Inglis, a challenge he said he is relishing.
“I’m really enthusiastic, I’ve been itching to get back out there going on six weeks now, I feel fit I feel fresh I’m ready to go,” he said.
“I love playing against big name fullbacks whether it is GI, Jarryd Hayne, Billy Slater. It brings out the best in me. You always want to out-do your opposite number and that will be no different on Saturday.”
