The second game on Friday for NRL Round 23 is between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Sea Eagles. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7:35PM with the game to be played at Bluetongue Stadium. The favourite for the match is away team Manly Sea Eagles. View our preview and teams for the game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Sea Eagles.
Bluetongue Stadium
Friday, 7.35pm
Featured Bookmakers:
South Sydney Rabbitohs $2.00 vs Manly Sea Eagles $1.80 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match
South Sydney Rabbitohs $2.15 vs Manly Sea Eagles $1.73 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:
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| South Sydney Rabbitohs | 2.00 | 2.08 | 2.15 | 2.08 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
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Manly Sea Eagles
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1.80 | 1.75 | 1.73 | 1.75 | 1.80 | 1.80 |
Preview:
South Sydney takes this home clash to Gosford in what shapes up as a crucial game for the Bunnies.
The Bunnies have registered one win from their past three games and, with the Bulldogs and Roosters two of their final three games before the finals, Souths will be looking for some much needed momentum.
Last week although producing a more competitive effort than the 26 – 8 score-line suggested, Souths found the Storm too strong in most departments.
The Bunnies confidence is shaky, as indicated by the magnitude of their past two losses and that in they’ve conceded more than twenty points in three of their past four games. Prior to these games, only twice in thirteen games had the opposition been able to break this mark.
The possible return of Inglis and Sutton will be just the boost the Bunnies require, especially with power forward Sam Burgess serving a two week suspension.
A win for the Sea Eagles here will get them within one point of the second placed Souths and, as mentioned above, with the Bunnies’ tough run into the semis, a real chance of securing a top two spot.
When they last met in round 7 of this year, it was Souths victors (20 – 12) however, the momentum for the respective clubs has turned and it’s the Sea Eagles who head into this game as favourites.
It has been six rounds since Manly has faced a team in the eight and whilst they’ve gained both confidence and momentum from the past two months, they’ll need to be at their best against Souths here.
This, as did the previous game this year, should go down right to the wire.
Teams:
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Greg Inglis, Nathan Merritt, Bryson Goodwin, Matt King, Dylan Farrell, John Sutton, Adam Reynolds, Luke Burgess, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi, Chris McQueen, Ben Te’o, Ben Lowe. Interchange: Luke Keary, Jeff Lima, George Burgess, Tom Burgess, Jason Clark, Justin Hunt
Manly Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Brenton Lawrence, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Jamie Buhrer, Justin Horo, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Richie Fa’aoso, David Gower, James Hasson, George Rose
Toovey backs Manly to cope with Souths
Manly coach Geoff Toovey is hopeful Anthony Watmough will be fit to return to action before the final round of the NRL season after the NSW star was diagnosed with a posterior cruciate ligament injury.
Watmough limped off during the first half of Sunday’s 27-12 win over the Warriors and will sit out Friday’s crunch clash with second-placed South Sydney at Gosford.
The Sea Eagles, who sit in third, go into the game in red-hot form having chalked up 225 points in just six games – and face a Souths side going through a sticky patch, losing three of their last four to slip off the top of the ladder.
Toovey admits the loss of Watmough against one the best packs in the competition will be a big blow but said the manner in which his side dealt with the Warriors’ big forwards after the representative back-rower’s exit gives him great confidence.
“They are a very large pack of forwards as were the Warriors,” Toovey said.
“But I thought we handled them pretty well and hopefully we can do the same against Souths.
“Choc’s (Watmough) injury has settled quite quickly and I am hoping he’ll be back in two weeks.”
Justin Horo, who was rewarded with an upgraded contract last week after some brilliant displays following his release by Parramatta at the end of last season, will replace Watmough after sitting out Sunday’s game with a calf strain.
Toovey wouldn’t be drawn on Sam Burgess’ ‘squirrel grip’ incident after the Englishman pleaded guilty to a contrary conduct charge on Tuesday.
However, he said the return to action of Greg Inglis will make up for the loss of Souths’ star forward.
“Sam has been in terrific form, but I am sure one of his brothers will come in for him,” he said.
“They have all done terrific this year and give great momentum for Issac Luke out of dummy-half.
“Without Inglis Souths are a lot less potent and he is a real threat and he is at least worth six-to-12 points for them.”