2021 NRL – Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs taking place? Thursday 11th March, 2021 – 09:05 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs taking place? AAMI Park, Melbourne
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs 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 Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs? 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
THE TEAM NEWS
MELBOURNE STORM
Starting 13: Papenhuyzen, Jennings, R. Smith, Olam, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich, B. Smith, Welch, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Asofa-Solomona – Interchanges: Lewis, Kamikamica, Eisenhuth, Hynes – Reserves: Schonig, Smoothy
Unavailable: Harry Grant (Injured), Dale Finucane (Injured), Max King (Injured), Brenko Lee (Injured)
- Melbourne Storm capped off a year in which they had to overcome plenty of adversity after they were forced to base themselves outside of Victoria for the majority of the campaign by overcoming Penrith Panthers in the Grand Final to claim a well-deserved Premiership.
- The Storm will have to deal with the loss of talismanic skipper Cameron Smith and Suliasi Vunivalu but the return of Harry Grant from a year on loan will fill the void left by Smith, although he will have to sit out here having copped a knee injury in a trial game.
- Brandon Smith will slot in to the hooking role for this game and there could be a late inclusion for Tyson Smoothy to spell him while George Jennings and Remis Smith will make their first appearances for the club after they joined during the off-season.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Starting 13: Mitchell, Johnston, Gagai, Graham, Mansour, Walker, Reynolds, Burgess, Cook, Tatola, Host, Su’A, Murray – Interchanges: Marshall, Nicholls, Koloamatangi, Arrow – Reserves: Mago, Paulo
Unavailable: Liam Knight (Injured), Hame Sele (Injured), Blake Taaffe (Injured), Taane Milne (Injured), Braidon Burns (Injured), Jed Cartwright (Injured), Brock Gardner (Injured)
- South Sydney Rabbitohs improved as the season progressed last time around but they just fell short in their quest to make the Grand Final as they were edged by Penrith Panthers in the preliminary finals.
- The Rabbits look well-set for another tilt this time around with many tipping them to go all the way thanks to their dangerous backline while the addition of Jai Arrow bolsters Wayne Bennett’s options in the pack.
- Fellow new signings Jacob Host and Josh Mansour will also debut here alongside veteran Benji Marshall who looks set to be deployed in a utility role from the bench during this campaign.
THE PREDICTION
The 2021 NRL season kicks off with what should be an enthralling clash between two of last season’s top four in Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs. The reigning premiers look more than capable of defending their crown but Souths are likely to be one of their biggest challengers, especially if they can keep the likes of Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker fit. There is little to choose between these two teams but the Storm boast an incredible head-to-head record against the Rabbitohs and that could prove to be telling. The Storm have won 23 of the last 26 meetings between the two and they have also won the last 16 home games when the pair have clashed. Souths’ record at AAMI Park against the Storm stands at 0-9 so the hosts have to be favoured to edge this one.
