The Stats Zone
· Tom

2018 NRL – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George-Illawarra Dragons Preview

Post Share

AT A GLANCE

When? Sunday 13th May, 05:00 (UK)

Where? ANZ Stadium

What channel is it on? UK – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George-Illawarra Dragons not be televised live in the UK. Australia - Foxtel, LIVE PASS

Where can I stream the match? UK - N/A Australia - https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-...

Are tickets still available? http://premier.ticketek.com.au...

THE STATISTICS

THE LOWDOWN

RABBITOHS

Head Coach: Anthony Seibold

Starting 13: Johnston, Graham, Inglis, Gagai, Jennings, Walker, Reynolds, T. Burgess, Cook, G. Burgess, Sutton, Crichton, S. Burgess – Interchanges: Murray, Nicholls, Clark, Tatola – Reserves: Doueihi, Hunt, Burns, Turner

Unavailable: Zane Musgrove, Jesse Arthars, Tyrell Fuimaono, Richie Kennar

  • South Sydney’s impressive season continued as they won their third game in four games when beating Newcastle last week. The Rabbitohs set the tone with two tries in the opening four minutes and never looked back as they were comfortable 18-36 winners.
  • Sam Burgess returns from suspension to boost South Sydney’s pack. He starts at lock with Cameron Murray reverting to the interchange bench and Adam Doueihi dropping out of the 17.
  • South Sydney posted some impressive figures in last week’s win. They failed to complete just two of their 36 sets for a 94% completion rate. That allowed them to roll up the field, making 1,824 metres as they continue to lead the NRL in metres made (14,863).

DRAGONS

Head Coach: Paul McGregor

Starting 13: Dufty, Macdonald, Aitken, Lafai, Nightingale, Widdop, Hunt, Graham, McInnes, Vaughan, Frizell, Sims, De Belin – Interchanges: Latimore, Mann, Ah Mau, Lomax – Reserves: Robson, Allgood, Lawrie, Sele

Unavailable:

  • St George made their Premiership ambitions clear with a statement win over current Premiers Melbourne last week. The Dragons were too classy for the Storm with a big second half performance sealing the 34-14 win.
  • Paul McGregor handed Reece Robson his debut last week and will again blood another debutant this week, this time in the form of Zac Lomax with Robson dropping to the reserves.
  • Whilst St George’s attacking play has received plenty of plaudits so far this season, their defence has been just as consistent. The Dragons have conceded just 122 points from their nine games so far, an average of 13.6 per game which is the best record in the NRL.

THE PREDICTION

The third highest scorers in the NRL meet the highest scorers in a mouth-watering game for the purist. South Sydney have played some impressive football this season but St George are setting the standard at the top of the ladder. Their defensive record is also very impressive but that will be tested against the Rabbitohs. This could be a very high scoring game with both sides looking to move the ball around in what should be perfect conditions on Sunday afternoon. This contest is a tough one to call but if St George can match last week’s performance against Melbourne, they will have too much for South Sydney.

TSZ Latest