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  1. #46
    Titans First Grader Rage's Avatar
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    Default Rabbitohs v Titans preview

    NRL.com Wed, Jun 15, 2011 - 2:45 PM

    Rabbitohs v Titans
    ANZ Stadium
    Friday 7.35pm

    Souths? coach John Lang knows that unless his Rabbitohs kick into a new gear, starting this week against the similarly inconsistent Titans, they can kiss all hopes of a finals berth goodbye.

    The bunnies head to rain-sodden ANZ Stadium fresh off the bye but also on the back of a hat-trick of losses to the Warriors, Panthers and Storm that has seen them slump to 12th on the ladder ? but just two wins away from the eighth-placed Bulldogs.

    They were a little unlucky against the Storm last game, charging out to a 6-nil lead early and trailing just 10-6 at halftime before Cameron Smith put the issue beyond doubt with a try two minutes from full-time. They played some gritty, no-nonsense football but ultimately it was their lack of spark that brought about their undoing ? they failed to make a line-break (to the Storm?s four) and didn?t throw a single offload the entire first 40. For a side boasting the likes of Dave Taylor and Issac Luke it will be interesting to see whether they adopt a similar game plan here.

    They?ll be keen for some revenge given the Titans stole the points in their last clash in Round 2 last year when Scott Prince nailed a field-goal in the second minute of extra time.

    Personnel-wise, Dylan Farrell has been recalled to the centres for Shaun Corrigan, who joins an extended bench of 18; Farrell will partner Maroons centre Greg Inglis who along with second-rower Dave Taylor will back up from Origin (fitness permitting).

    The only other change from their last-start defeat is that Jason Clark bumps Deon Apps off the pine.

    Meanwhile the Titans have avoided rushing new signing Beau Henry (ex-Knights) into their top squad. Queensland lock Ashley Harrison is their only change to the starting line-up that took down the premiers last week; as a result Luke O?Dwyer moves to an extended bench that also boasts Blues? lock Greg Bird in jersey No. 19. If he comes through Origin okay, expect him to be injected off the bench.

    Although semi-finals football would be the furthest thing from coach John Cartwright?s mind the closeness of the competition, plus some indifferent form from sides hovering around the middle of the table, leaves the door open for any team that strings together a significant run of wins. The Titans may be in 14th place on just 10 competition points but of all the cellar dwellers they probably have the most upside, as they showed last week when captain Scott Prince masterminded a second-half onslaught that left the Dragons sucking in the big ones.

    It?s a huge career milestone for Prince, who plays his 250th NRL game.

    Watch Out Rabbitohs: Scott Prince had made just four try assists prior to Round 14 but against the Dragons he added a further two and scored a decisive try. That game could?ve been just the confidence boost he needs to get back to his blistering best.

    In particular he?ll fancy his chances targeting the Rabbitohs? right-side goal-line defence, where Dylan Farrell and Chris Sandow have been shaky. Farrell averages three tackle misses a game, Sandow 5.5 (the most in the comp). A clever delayed pass for Mark Minichiello or Clinton Toopi could yield dividends.

    Most importantly, the home side can?t afford to simply soak up the runs of Titans prop Luke Bailey or his relentless charges will take their toll. Bailey made a game-high 17 runs for 186 metres last week and his season-average 133.6 metres ranks fourth among all front-rowers. The Rabbitohs need to halt his go-forward and bend him back at the line, or it will all add up.

    Danger Sign: If Bailey and fellow prop Michael Henderson (144 metres last week) continue to get over the advantage line it will limit the time the Rabbitohs have to reset their defence. Given the Bunnies miss the most tackles of any side (39.2) that will lead to problems.

    Watch Out Titans: Souths halfback Chris Sandow was conspicuous by his lack of impact the last time these teams met, with Scott Prince handing him a master class in attacking halfback play with two try assists and three offloads. By comparison Sandow didn?t make a solitary run or metre of territory, made just one tackle-break and committed a game-high three errors. That would rile him no end and you can bet he?ll be looking to build on his six line-break assists and four try assists. Plus he?ll be out to confirm his reputation as the best booter of 40/20s in the comp (four to date).

    Also, the Titans need to be wary of Sandow kicking short, either for himself (26 good chases made) or else the right flank for Nathan Merritt, Chris McQueen or Dave Tyrrell.

    Although Prince is renowned for his long-kicking game he?ll need to improve his kicks to space or the powerful and speedy Rabbitohs? back three will be quick to counter-attack. Prince is hitting open space just 45 per cent of the time ? last week Dragons fullback Jason Nightingale made in excess of 200 metres carting it back and last time these teams met fill-in No.1 Nathan Merritt did the same. Fullback Rhys Wesser has averaged 12 metres on each of his 55 kick returns. Merritt averages 10 metres on kick returns and left winger James Roberts seven metres.

    Danger Sign: Wesser may be in his twilight years but he still has a lethal dash that can hurt sides that are complacent with their kick-chase. The evergreen No.1 has tallied 39 tackle-breaks and a team-high eight line-breaks from his nine games.

    Plays To Watch: Wesser skipping, then pushing the accelerator; Dave Taylor showing silky offloading skills on the left edge with James Roberts happily accepting; Inglis using his ?don?t-argue? fend to find space; Issac Luke catching the marker defenders napping; Scott Prince drifting right, showing the ball in one hand before grubber-kicking through or throwing a cut-out pass for David Mead out wide; Luke Bailey?s charges; Mark Minichiello and Anthony Laffranchi?s offloads and charges close to the line.

    Where It Will Be Won: Commitment for the full 80. For Souths that means signing off on all of the little things ? the one percenters ? that can add up to a victory. For example, they need to focus on a concerted kick-chase ? at the moment they tally the second-most poor chases in the league (25). They need to work for each other in defence, not just in the early stages when they are often on top, but right to the final siren. They need to make certain their tackles are completed and do better than their 13.2 offloads conceded ? third most in the comp.

    For the Titans, it means eliminating the errors that have hounded their campaign ? their 14.2 a game are easily the most by any side. They also need to hustle Sandow and John Sutton when they kick, given their atrocious 31 per cent defusal rate of cross-field bombs.

    Whichever side switches off early is bound to come up short.

    The History: Played 6; Titans 4, Rabbitohs 2. The Titans have won the past three matches between the sides, including the past two that were played at ANZ Stadium.

    Conclusion: History suggests this could be a nail-biter ? all six matches between them to date have been decided by eight points or less. And four of the five times the Titans have played at ANZ Stadium the outcome has been decided by that similar margin.

    It?s a tough call; the Rabbitohs are capable of a devastating display but they?ve hardly instilled confidence in their past few matches. Meanwhile the Titans were very good in the second half last week, admittedly against an inexperienced side that ran out of puff.

    Don?t hold us to it but we feel the Titans, now they have the whiff of a victory in their nostrils, may just embark on a bit of a run.

    Match Officials: Referees ? Jason Robinson & Brett Suttor; Sideline Officials ? Steve Carrall & Henry Perenara; Video Ref ? Pat Reynolds.

    Televised: Channel Nine ? Delayed 9.30pm (NSW & Qld); Fox Sports ? Delayed 1am.

    * Stats: NRL Stats

  2. #47
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    OK so, Inglis is busted up? He will struggle if he takes to the field after tonight's game. Taylor played well.

    Hopefully Ash got his errors out of his system tonight, but looks to have come out of the game injury free.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

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  3. #48
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    greg is so lazy as a player now, he half asses all his runs now probably because he is really heavy and its affected his workrate

  4. #49
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    He looks like he has lost loads of weight though - but def not the player he used to be. Still, I'd like him to NOT be in the rabbits on Friday night - any outs for them is a bonus. Harro - not the best game in origin tonight so hope he's ready to back up with a fab game for the Titans this weeked. Birdy didn't play the whole game this time so should be ready and raring to go!!!!!! Origin's over for this round.... now its onto a win for the mighty titans to finish off a great week :-)

  5. #50
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mushi View Post
    He looks like he has lost loads of weight though - but def not the player he used to be. Still, I'd like him to NOT be in the rabbits on Friday night - any outs for them is a bonus. Harro - not the best game in origin tonight so hope he's ready to back up with a fab game for the Titans this weeked. Birdy didn't play the whole game this time so should be ready and raring to go!!!!!! Origin's over for this round.... now its onto a win for the mighty titans to finish off a great week :-)
    remember 06 and 05 inglis, sigh those were the good old days, its like he just discovered mcdonalds after he lost the 06 final

  6. #51
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    I hope Inglis does play cause Tomane and Mead will tear mr lazy man up if he takes it half ****d.

  7. #52

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    Quote Originally Posted by teke View Post
    I hope Inglis does play cause Tomane and Mead will tear mr lazy man up if he takes it half ****d.
    Any player that plays half ****d will get torn apart

  8. #53
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    I'm probably the most confident I have been for any game thus far this season.

    I dearly hope that translates to a win down South.

    Our games against the Rabbitohs are always good value.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
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  9. #54
    Junior Titan Titan2007DH's Avatar
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    Don't know whether or not you noticed but Ash topped tackle count and hitups going by the Courier Mail this morning. Mistakes are made by players a lot higher profile than Ashley and they don't worth a mention. I believe he tries too hard at times, or, of late, and this contributes to mistakes. Big Dave Taylor was running hard onto the ball and this constituted a forward pass. As for laying on the player for too long, he got pinged for it. NSW was doing all night and no penalties were awarded to QLD. I watch Ash's games very closely and he more than not does his job.There was a time in the game where, if Locky had of passed to his left, Ash would have been over the line. That could have changed the game. Did anyone see that? .. no, I didn't think so.
    My thoughts are just that .. my thoughts. I don't profess to know everything about this great game of ours, Rugby League, but I do have eyes and I know what I see.

  10. #55
    Rep Player Supergoose's Avatar
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    Definitely saw that - it was when Locky gave it to Cronk who got smashed by Lewis. Harrison is always good, but he has had a rough trot with a few dropped balls and a few niggly penalties. He's got to learn where North - South is because he had a dubious play the ball in the Origin which could've easily been pinged and that would've been number 3 for the season!

    Geese are the ultimate team players.
    They honk to encourage one another!

  11. #56
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    Quote Originally Posted by GoldCoastTitans100 View Post
    Any player that plays half ****d will get torn apart
    That's right and Mr Lazy man Inglis is probably the best at playing half ****d

  12. #57
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    South Sydney Rabbitohs v Gold Coast Titans
    June 17, 2011 ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Friday 7.35pm (AEST)

    Last meeting: Round 2 2010 - Titans 19 bt Souths 18 at ANZ Stadium
    Stats: Head-to-head
    Referees: Jason Robinson, Brett Suttor
    TV: Delay Channel 9 (from 9.30pm)
    TAB Sportsbet: Souths $1.65 Titans $2.25
    FootyTab: Titans +4.5

    Greg Prichard writes: Both teams had two players involved in State of Origin II on Wednesday night - Greg Inglis and Dave Taylor for the Rabbitohs and Ashley Harrison and Greg Bird for the Titans. The Rabbitohs are coming off the bye, while the Titans won the road against a severely depleted Dragons side last weekend. Good luck to the Titans for getting the two points there, but the team the Dragons fielded didn't resemble the one that dominated the first half of the season to be on top of the competition table.

    The win will no doubt give the Titans some confidence going into this game, but that has to be balanced against the fact they have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NRL this season. They are yet to win two games in a row, and have lost nine out of 13 overall. Before beating the Dragons, they lost four in a row. That said, the Rabbitohs are no good things. Injuries have hurt them a lot this season, but they still have the necessary players, in John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Issac Luke, Michael Crocker, Inglis and Taylor, to be very competitive in this match.

    http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
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  13. #58
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    Beau out, Presto in against Bunnies

    THE Titans will keep mid-season recruit Beau Henry on ice for at least another week after livewire veteran Preston Campbell passed a fitness test on his injured wrist yesterday.

    Despite only linking with the Gold Coast in a whirlwind deal from the Newcastle Knights on Monday, Henry was placed on stand-by to line up against the Rabbitohs in Sydney tonight as cover for Campbell.

    "Presto's wrist is OK, he will be fine to start," Titans coach John Cartwright said.

    "He has been involved in most of our wins this year.

    "He is a calming influence and I feel a lot better when he is around."

    Campbell's inclusion means Henry will turn out for Queensland Cup feeder club Burleigh against Ipswich tonight.

    Meanwhile Titans medical staff will assess Origin stars Ash Harrison and Greg Bird this morning before a final decision is made whether they will back up against the Rabbitohs.

    Early indications were that NSW enforcer Bird would struggle to play just 48 hours after the brutal Blues triumph, while Harrison should be fit to take his place at lock.

    The Titans travelled with a full squad in the event both players are ruled out, with Luke O'Dwyer likely to start at the back of the scrum and Ben Ridge keeping his spot on the bench.

    Still anchored near the foot of the ladder, the Titans have the chance to make a surge over the coming weeks with the Rabbitohs clash followed by an encounter with the Sharks at Skilled Park and then the bye.

    With several sides battling form problems in the middle of the table, the finals door is ajar for the Titans if they can string a wins together.

    "Although we were disappointed with the first half of our season, it is all new now for us," skipper Scott Prince said. "We just have to finish the year really well."

    http://www.goldcoast.com.au/
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  14. #59
    Junior Titan AmericanTitan's Avatar
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    good to hear Presto is ok, he really played well I thought last week. That spine of Zilly, Presto, Princey, and Srama all played well actually. If they can keep in form things could really start to come together.

    Has anyone heard reports on whether Birdy and Harro will backup tonight?


    Either way it should be a great game. Let's buck that trend of not winning back to back and move on up the ladder! Go Titans!
    "You make sure they remember, *forever*, the night they played the Titans!"

  15. #60
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    Its Delayed telecast aswell goddamnit i hate that crap, cant wait till foxtel take all the rights and show everygame live


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