South Sydney co-captain Roy Asotasi believes the battle of hookers Issac Luke and Canterbury’s Michael Ennis will be crucial to the outcome of Friday’s NRL clash with the Bulldogs.

Luke’s short fuse is sure to be tested at ANZ Stadium by Bulldogs captain Ennis, who thrives on baiting his opponents.

“It should be interesting. I’m just hoping Issac actually gets over him, but Issac’s got a job he needs to do,” he said.

“Michael Ennis is a good player and he does a lot for that side.”

Asotasi says letting the Bulldogs forwards and Ennis get a roll on would prove fatal for the Rabbitohs, who are coming off a 17-16 golden-point win over Wests Tigers.

“If we don’t contain him and Ben Barba also, the Bulldogs will be able to run all over us,” he said.

Fullback Barba has been in great form and played a huge part in the Bulldogs’ unconvincing 30-20 win over Gold Coast last Saturday.

“He’s just a great attacking player … we all know what he can do and we’ve seen what he can do but we can’t really just focus on Ben Barba – there’s a lot of players around him,” he said.

Field-goal hero from last week, Greg Inglis, says the Rabbitohs will have to work hard to stop his opposite number Barba.

“We have to get our kick-chase going up to scratch and try to limit his ability at the back,” Inglis said.

The star fullback says Luke holds the key to success for Souths.

“It definitely gives us confidence when he’s named in the squad. It just goes to show the last three or four weeks he’s been our top player and for him to get out and have his running game, our forwards need to do the job as well,” Inglis said.

Ennis is bracing for a fierce contest around the ruck from the Rabbitohs, who are without injured talisman Sam Burgess.

“They’ve got a high-quality roster there and no doubt their forward pack is their strength,” he said.

“They’ll try to be strong through the middle there and that’s where we’ll need to be good and try and be real tidy around that ruck.”