2020 NRL – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers taking place? Friday 10th July, 2020 – 10:55 (UK)
Where is South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers taking place? Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
What is the expected weather for South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers? 13c, mostly cloudy
What channel is South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Starting 13: Mitchell, Gagai, Graham, Roberts, Johnston, Walker, Reynolds, Tatola, Cook, Burgess, Su’A, Lowe, Murray – Interchanges: Knight, Sironen, Mago, Sele – Reserves: Nicholls, Allan
Unavailable: Tom Amone (Injured), Braidon Burns (Injured)
- South Sydney Rabbitohs returned to winning ways as they made it three victories from their last four matches by overcoming Canterbury Bulldogs last week but it was a far from vintage performance.
- The Rabbitohs’ ability to make metres was the difference between the two teams as Souths surpassed 2,000 metres while restricting the Bulldogs to over 300 less, although they did make 12 errors which took their total for the season to 92.
- That is the fifth-highest figure in the NRL and is something they will have to improve on moving forward but they will hope consistency in their team selection will help that with just one change this week as Bayley Sironen returns in place of the injured Braidon Burns who is out for the year after he ruptured his patella tendon.
WESTS TIGERS
Starting 13: Doueihi, Nofoaluma, Chee-Kam, Mbye, Hoffman, Reynolds, Brooks, Aloiai, Grant, Clark, Garner, L. Leilua, Eisenhuth – Interchanges: Taylor, Mikaele, Lawrence, Marshall – Reserves: Packer, McQueen
Unavailable: Jacob Liddle (Injured), Alex Twal (Injured), Robert Jennings (Injured), Zane Musgrove (Injured), Joey Leilua (Suspended), Tommy Talau (Injured), Sam McIntyre (Injured)
- Wests Tigers produced a battling display against Penrith Panthers last week as they went toe-to-toe in an extremely physical battle that went down to the final 10 minutes but Wests came out second best.
- Neither side gave much away in the contest that ended 12-19 with both teams defending superbly for long spells under intense pressure but the Tigers spent over six minutes less with the ball than the Panthers which arguably proved to be the difference.
- Joey Leilua has been punished for his brain explosion at the end of last week’s game and he will sit out the first of four matches with Michael Chee-Kam slotting into the centres and Michael Lawrence coming onto the bench while Tommy Talau and Sam McIntyre are late scratches so Reece Hoffman debuts on the wing and Benji Marshall is recalled to the bench.
THE PREDICTION
South Sydney Rabbitohs earned their third win in four but this will be a tough contest against an improving Wests Tigers side. The Tigers pushed Penrith Panthers all the way last week but they were impressive and their defensive efforts in that clash should stand them in good stead. A similar performance here may be enough to earn the two competition points against a Souths team that they have beaten in six of their last nine games and Wests should be able to improve that run here, especially as they benefit from a +4.5 start.
