Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 20 match is between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Parramatta Eels. The opening kick is set to commence at 17:30 local time with the game to be played at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. The home team South Sydney Rabbitohs are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Parramatta Eels.
When: 17:30 | Saturday 28/07/2018
Where: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Preview:
As I mentioned last week, the top teams were all at some stage going to lose to an unexpected side.
This was the case for the Rabbitohs who were looking for 10 straight wins before they ran into the Tigers.
Although the Eels won last week, I can’t get overly excited about them.
Sam Burgess is South Sydney’s inspirational leader and if he’s ruled out, he will definitely be a loss.
The good thing is that young Cameron Murray is an up and coming star who will fulfil that role with no dramas.
The let-down for John Sutton in game 300 will be hurting and I’m sure his teammates will want to repay him.
KEY BATTLE: Cody Walker v Corey Norman
The matchup I’m looking forward to is between Cody Walker and Corey Norman.
Both are gifted players with great instincts.
They provide the spark to their attack.
The Verdict
The Eels are still a fragile side who can’t deal well with adversity throughout the match.
Look for the Rabbitohs to climb back to the top of the ladder and their potent left-hand edge to have more try scoring success.
The Rabbitohs have an 8-4 (66.7 percent) record in night matches against Parramatta since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
South Sydney Rabbitohs at $1.23
Parramatta Eels at $4.20
Odds:
Tip: South Sydney Rabbitohs at $1.22
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Robert Jennings at $7.00
More Info:
Teams:
South Sydney Rabbitohs:
1 Alex Johnston, 2 Campbell Graham, Hymel Hunt, 4 Dane Gagai, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Tom Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 George Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess (c).
Interchange: 14 Adam Doueihi, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Jason Clark, 17 Tevita Tatola
Reserves: 18 Mark Nicholls, 19 Kyle Turner, 20 Dean Britt, 21 Braidon Burns.
Parramatta Eels: 
1 Clint Gutherson (c), 2 Bevan French, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Brad Takairangi, 5 Jarryd Hayne, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Kaysa Pritchard, 10 Siosaia Vave, 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 13 Nathan Brown
Interchange: 14 Reed Mahoney, 15 Tim Mannah (c), 16 David Gower, 17 Peni Terepo
Reserves: 18 Kane Evans, 19 Greg Leleisiuao, 20, Jaeman Salmon, 21 Suaia Matagi.
NRL News:
South Sydney captain Sam Burgess has been cleared by the NRL match review committee for his shot on Wests Tigers’ Robbie Farah, escaping what would have been his third suspension of the season.
Burgess was put on report for a tackle which laid out former teammate Farah in Saturday’s 22-6 loss to the Tigers.
However, the match review committee declined to charge Burgess, freeing him for Saturday’s clash with last-placed Parramatta.
Burgess was penalised after he collected Farah around the shoulders midway through the first half of what was the Bunnies’ first loss in 10 matches.
The Tigers dummy-half stayed down for several moments, prompting Burgess to volley a string of expletives at his former teammate.
The Englishman later declined to comment
Farah came out in support of Burgess, saying the incident didn’t warrant a suspension.
However, the rejuvenated No.9 denied claims he stayed down in an attempt to milk a penalty.
“That was when Sam hit me in the first half,” Farah said referring to his cut lip.
“He was carrying on like he didn’t get me, when I was laying down. But he got me on the mouth.
“I thought he knocked out a couple of teeth there, but it’s all good.”
Burgess missed four games in the space of five weeks earlier in the season after being controversially suspended for two weeks for an elbow lift on Josh Morris and another two for a careless high tackle on Aidan Sezer.
Meanwhile, Newcastle back-rower Aidan Guerra is free to play next week despite copping a dangerous contact charge for a shot on Ash Taylor during Saturday’s win over Gold Coast.
