FIVE BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NRL PRELIMINARY FINAL BETWEEN SYDNEY ROOSTERS AND SOUTH SYDNEY
Sydney Roosters v South Sydney
NRL second preliminary final
Allianz Stadium, Saturday, September 22, 7.40pm (AEST)
* Can the Roosters fire without Latrell Mitchell?
The Roosters have been forced to leave their Ferrari in the garage for their biggest match of the season, with Latrell Mitchell suspended for a crusher tackle on Josh Dugan. The second-leading points-scorer in the NRL’s regular season, Mitchell has been their best attacking threat at centre this year with 16 tries, 18 linebreaks and 101 tackle busts. Mitchell Aubusson is expected to replace him on the left edge and while he’ll be solid in defence, he doesn’t carry the same explosiveness with ball in hand.
* How much have the Rabbitohs got in the tank?
While the Roosters enjoyed a weekend off, Souths had to get through their second one-point game in a row against St George Illawarra. Couple that with the emotion around the club following a lewd video scandal and the Rabbitohs will enter the game after a taxing fortnight. Teams who have played in week two of the finals have won just four of 12 preliminary finals matches under the current play-offs system, illustrating how hard the Rabbitohs’ road will be.
* Can Jared Waerea-Hargreaves stand up again?
It’s no coincidence Waerea-Hargreaves’ biggest games in attack this year have been when the Roosters have been without Dylan Napa. The Kiwi prop’s 165m in the qualifying final against Cronulla were crucial and he’ll need a repeat effort on Saturday night against the Burgess brothers with Napa still suspended. Fellow starting prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho also comes into the game under an injury cloud due to an ankle injury, but is expected to play.
* Can Damien Cook find his groove?
Shut down Cook and you go a long way towards blunting the Rabbitohs’ attack. In the seven games Cook has ran less than 70m out of dummy-half this year, Souths have won just one of them. One of those losses came against the Roosters in round 22, where they dominated the ruck and limited the NSW hooker’s influence. Whether they can do so again could determine who plays in the grand final.
* Does Cooper Cronk know pressure?
When Cronk was asked this question last week, he indicated he didn’t. We’ll find out if that’s true in the next fortnight. Cronk was brought to the Roosters to win a premiership after a number of missed chances at Bondi and he gets an immediate chance this month. His kicking game and composure got the Tri-colours home against Cronulla and he’ll need to replicate that on Saturday if the Roosters are to reach their first grand final since 2013 despite finishing in the top two in all but one year since then.