RABBITOHS
The Rabbitohs moved into second position on the ladder with an impressive 19 point win over the competition leaders Manly last week.
It was the Rabbitohs fourth win in a row and remarkably, their twelfth 13+ winning margin this year from thirteen victories.
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Manly started well and were on the board after only six minutes but led by Sam Burgess, the Rabbitohs’ forward back wrestled the ascendency off of Manly and scoring two tries of their own, took the half-time lead 12 – 4.
The Rabbitohs, who kept Manly pointless in the second half, sealed the win with then sealed the win with two tries inside of the last 15 minutes including one to star rookie winger Alex Johnston who has now posted fifteen tries from only eleven matches.
After strong wins over teams outside of the eight leading into this match, this victory was a real statement from the Rabbitohs and should ring alarm bells for those teams that have to face them in the final weeks of the season.
The Bunnies have named an extended bench that includes Luke Burgess, Joe Picker and Bryson Goodwin with Tom Burgess replacing brother George.
BRONCOS
Having loss five of their previous six matches and with their season hanging by a thread, the Broncos had no other option but to win last week when hosting the Bulldogs and win they did, registering one of their stronger performances of the year.
The Broncos again weren’t flash to start, they haven’t been the first on the board since round 16 against the Sharks, and trailed 6 nil after only 13 minutes but four tries in the space of sixteen minutes before half-time, saw them head into the sheds with 20 – 6 lead.
The Bulldogs again had the better of the first ten minutes when play resumed but as they did in the first half, when they warmed to the task, the Broncos posted three more tries to run out comfortable 41 – 10 victors.
What would’ve pleased soon-to-be ex-Coach Anthony Griffin was the Broncos defence which has improved markedly in the past fortnight. The Broncos have conceded only 26 points in the past two matches, that same amount they had averaged against them per game in the preceding month.
It’ll have to be better again here though as the Rabbitohs have the best attack in the competition and are in white-hot form at present.
Brisbane has named an unchanged side.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Rabbitohs have won their last two over the Broncos by 14 and 2 points with both games held at Suncorp Stadium.
Thursday’s clash is the first game at ANZ for the Rabbitohs since their poor loss to the Titans in round 17, remarkably their fifth loss from five games at the venue this year.
That loss has inspired them though to produce top football in each match since, averaging 34.75 points per game.
With attacking numbers like that, the Broncos can ill-afford another slow start and be trying to run down an in-form outfit like the Rabbitohs down.
Teams:
Rabbitohs: Greg Inglis, Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker, Kirisome Auva’a, Lote Tuqiri, Luke Keary, Adam Reynolds, Thomas Burgess, Issac Luke, David Tyrrell, Kyle Turner, Ben Te’o, Sam Burgess. Interchange: Jason Clark, Ben Lowe, Chris McQueen, Luke Burgess, Joe Picker, Bryson Goodwin
Ins: Luke Burgess, Joe Picker, Bryson Goodwin
Outs: George Burgess
Broncos: Josh Hoffman, Daniel Vidot, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Lachlan Maranta, Ben Barba, Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Corey Parker, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday. Interchange: Jake Granville, Martin Kennedy, Ben Hannant, Corey Oates, Jarrod Wallace
Ins: Jarrod Wallace
