Round 10: Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

[DIEHARD]

Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Canberra Stadium Monday 7pm

Canberra Raiders

1. Bronx Goodwin
2. Colin Best
3. Adrian Purtell
4. Joel Monaghan
5. David Milne
6. Terry Campese
7. Todd Carney
8. Scott Logan
9. Alan Tongue (c)
10. Troy Thompson
11. Glen Turner
12. Nigel Plum
13. Joe Picker

14. Josh Miller
15. Glen Buttriss
16. Trevor Thurling
17. Cy Lass****
18. Neville Costigan (one to be omitted).

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Nathan Merritt
2. Fetuli Talanoa
3. Nigel Vagana
4. Beau Champion
5. Shannon Hegarty
6. Dean Widders
7. Issac Luke
8. Manase Manuokafoa
9. George Ndaira
10. Roy Asotasi (c)
11. David Kidwell
12. David Fa'alogo
13. John Sutton

14. Beau Falloon
15. Shannan McPherson
16. Luke Stuart
17. Eddy Pettybourne.

[DIEHARD]

Canberra Raiders: 1. Bronx Goodwin, 2. Colin Best, 3. Adrian Purtell, 4. Joel Monaghan, 5. David Milne, 6. Terry Campese, 7. Todd Carney, 8. Scott Logan, 9. Alan Tongue (c), 10. Troy Thompson, 11. Glen Turner, 12. Nigel Plum, 13. Joe Picker. Subs: 14. Josh Miller, 15. Glen Buttriss, 16. Trevor Thurling, 17. Cy Lass****, 18. Neville Costigan (one to be omitted).

South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Nathan Merritt, 2. Fetuli Talanoa, 3. Nigel Vagana, 4. Beau Champion, 5. Shannon Hegarty, 6. Dean Widders, 7. Issac Luke, 8. Manase Manuokafoa, 9. George Ndaira, 10. Roy Asotasi (c), 11. David Kidwell, 12. David Fa'alogo, 13. John Sutton. Subs: 14. Beau Falloon, 15. Shannan McPherson, 16. Luke Stuart, 17. Eddy Pettybourne.

[TITAN PETE]

Thats about as good a side as Souths could put on the park but the Raiders are very good at Home :dizzy:

[DIEHARD]

Merritt back where he belongs at #1. They were crazy for ever moving him.

Good to see Luke at halfback, we might see a Marshall/Luke halves pairing for the World Cup.

[DIEHARD]

Raiders V Rabbitohs Preview

Canberra Stadium Monday 7pm

HERE we have the only match in this round not affected by Origin; and it’s a good thing, too, as for these two clubs it shapes as a must-win clash – particularly for the Rabbitohs.

Floundering in last place with just one win to their name, South Sydney need to win most of their games and they certainly can’t afford to drop against teams close to them on the table.

The Raiders have lost three straight and have free-fallen back to 13th place on the table, they also realise they need a win to keep up with the pack ahead.

While Origin hasn’t forced any changes there are still differences for both sides coming into the match.

For the home side David Milne comes onto the wing for Brett Kelly while the loss of Lincoln Withers for the season to injury has forced Alan Tongue to move from lock to hooker. Prop Dane Tilse is out, with Troy Thompson starting, utility Marshall Chalk is also gone but Glen Turner returns and Joe Picker will start at lock.

Glen Buttriss, Cy Lass**** and Neville Costigan have been added to a five-man bench.

For the Rabbitohs there are only two changes from the side that grabbed their first win prior to the bye, with both wingers making way. Fetuli Talanoa comes back onto the wing in place of John Tamanika while Shannon Hegarty replaces Germaine Paulson.

Watch out Raiders: Issac Luke grew an extra leg in his Test debut and the diminutive half is set to continue his rapid rise with a big performance here.

Luke knows the responsibility of being a Test star means more consistent performances in club footy and it’s obvious the Rabbitohs need him at his peak.

While he is more at home at hooker, playing halfback has its advantages as he can take the line on with a better scope of where the gaps are. Look for his combination with George Ndaira; it will be crucial if the Bunnies are to win.

Watch out Rabbitohs: Canberra will be hitting you on the edges all evening as they work to their strength and your weakness. The Raiders’ biggest attacking weapon is centre Joel Monaghan, who plays on the right side.

With 12 of the Raiders’ 23 tries scored on the right it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to suggest they’ll head his way. But the left side won’t be discounted either because Neil Henry knows full well the Rabbitohs have leaked 18 tries on the left compared to 11 on the right.

Where it will be won: Determination. In might only be round 10 but this match will more than likely be season-defining for both clubs.

You get the feeling a loss here will be looked back upon as the straw that broke the camel’s back if the finals aren’t reached. Whichever side is more desperate will win this one.

They’ll need desperation in defence to shut down any half chance the opposition gets and they’ll need desperation in attack to ensure every opportunity they are presented doesn’t go unfulfilled.

The little things that everyone takes for granted must be adhered to… a desperate kick-pressure game, a desperate kick-chase game…just flat-out desperation for 80 minutes. The team willing to go the distance at 100 miles an hour will take the spoils and some much needed momentum through this Origin period.

The History: Played 39; Raiders 24, Rabbitohs 15. Souths have only won two games from nine attempts at Canberra Stadium and the Raiders have also won five of the past seven matches between the sides.

Conclusion: The Rabbitohs’ record in Canberra is abysmal but they should enter the nation’s capital with optimism. They are fresh off the bye and have tasted victory recently so there are no excuses.

The Raiders have been cruelled by injuries, something their already skinny squad couldn’t afford, but the locals love Monday night footy down there and they are rarely disappointed at home. With their season pretty much on the line South Sydney should be more desperate, but you couldn’t back them with too much confidence.

Match officials: Referee – Gavin Badger; Sideline Officials – Brett Suttor & Mohamad Fajajo; Video ref – Graeme West.

Televised: Foxsports 2 – Live 7pm

Source: http://www.nrl.com

[patskE]

cant believe barnes hasvnt been giving a go on the wing this season
he played in the charity shield, had a solid game i though, but hasnt been giving a go, even with souths poor form