The cousin of their star player and a former fan favourite stand in the way of South Sydney extending their lead at the top of the NRL ladder.
The Rabbitohs hold a one-point lead over second-placed Melbourne heading into their clash with the unpredictable Gold Coast in the unusual home ground of Cairns.
And it is Albert Kelly, the livewire halfback and cousin to the Rabbitohs’ champion fullback Greg Inglis, and former Bunny Dave Taylor who present the biggest hurdles facing Michael Maguire’s men.
Kelly’s first grade struggles, on and off the field, have been put behind him this year as he develops into one of the game’s most dynamic halfbacks.
The 22-year-old, who this week signed a two-year deal, leads all halves with eight tries and is most certainly on Maguire’s radar.
“He’s very, very quick. He’s got a new dimension to the team,” Maguire said.
“The way he gets across the park and how quick he is off the mark, we’ve got to be ready for him.
“Without a doubt (he can break tackles). And quick.
“You can’t beat speed sometimes and you’ve got to make sure that you’re well aware of where he is on the park all the time.
“The same with young (Will) Zillman at the back.”
Taylor left South Sydney in the off-season to move back to Queensland and take up a sizable offer from the Titans.
His form hasn’t yet reached its red-and-green standard, but with one last chance to prove himself to Mal Meninga and the Queensland coaching staff, Maguire is expecting big things from his former charge.
“I’m sure he’ll be excited about coming back and playing against a few of his mates,” he said.
“But I’m sure he’ll perform. No doubt. He’s a good player.
“He did a great job for us when he was here. We’re expecting a big game from him.”
With the Maroons possibly looking to rejig the forward pack after being out-muscled in game one of State of Origin, Taylor could come in and replace the man who has filled his boots at the Rabbitohs this season.
Ben Te’o has outperformed Taylor at club level in 2013, and Maguire says the powerful back-rower’s focus hasn’t wavered despite an off-field controversy surfacing last month.
“Those sorts of things are outside,” Maguire said.
“He’s very focused about making sure he’s performing each week. He’s doing that for us at the moment.”
