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Peter Cassidy | rugbyleaguelive.com | 03/07/08 | 0
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Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Monday 7th July, 7.00pm
ANZ Stadium
Referee: Jason Robinson
HEAD TO HEAD
Bulldogs 70 wins, Rabbitohs 61 wins, 4 drawn.
FORM GUIDE
Bulldogs: LWWLLWLBLLWLLBLL
Rabbitohs: LLLLLLLWBLLLWBWW
The Dogs and Bunnies enter this clash on equal competition points, but that’s where the similarities end.
The form lines couldn’t read more differently… with South Sydney hunting for their fourth win on the trot, and Canterbury still chasing their first points since Round 11.
It’s been a tough stint for Bulldogs fans, although, on a positive note, they have seen plenty of tries scored.
Few, of course, have come courtesy of Canterbury… but their opponents have racked up 150 points in four matches.
Their last start saw them fall meekly to the Roosters 24-14, but was a vast improvement on the embarrassing 58-18 loss to Canberra the week before.
Injuries continue to cripple the Belmore boys, with the once-dubbed ‘Dogs of War’ now reduced to a second rate line-up… and Sonny Bill Williams.
The Rabbitohs, on the other hand, are riding a fresh wave of form. They are officially on a streak… and for once it’s the right kind.
They kick-started the run with a shock 35-28 defeat of New Zealand in Round 13 – a win which coincided with young Chris Sandow’s NRL debut.
Since then Jason Taylor’s fresh-faced squad has picked off the Titans and Cowboys, and while the wins might not have been pretty… they were wins. That’s more than the Rabbits could muster in the opening seven rounds.
Star-recruit Craig Wing made his long-awaited return against the Cowboys and showed signs of a budding partnership with book rookie Sandow.
In the fair dinkum stakes – this match is about wooden-spoon avoidance. For the desperadoes out there – ‘mathematics’ suggests slim finals hope still remain.
THE BURNING QUESTION
The last time the Rabbitohs were favourites, Queen Elizabeth was in a pram (last week excluded!). Chances are they lost that game. Can the Redfern contingent shake their terrible form against lesser lights and win a game with the ‘favourites’ tag?
KEY MATCH UPS
Ben Roberts v Chris Sandow
Behind veteran winger Hazem El Masri, Roberts is the most experienced player in the Bulldogs’ backline and will again partner rookie Arana Taumata in the halves. His role in the clash will be crucial as Steve Folkes looks to him to direct traffic and shoulder the kicking duties.
If Roberts is off his game, the Bulldogs are in dire straights.
Not many South Sydney players can boast an unbeaten NRL record – but then again, not many have influenced a team so quickly and so positively in just their first three matches in the top grade. Sandow brings to the Rabbitohs everything which they so desperately lacked in the seasons’ opening exchanges – a kicking game, a deep attacking line and last play options.
So confident are the Bunnies in Sandow’s future at the club, they have effectively told his predecessor Eddie Paea to find a new home.
COACHES CORNER
Expect the big names to step up the plate here.
For the Bunnies – that’s Craig Wing.
In his first full game of footy since September 2007, Wing managed a try, one try assist, two offloads, three tackle breaks and 124 metres.
He’ll be better for the run against the Cowboys and, up against a relative unknown in Taumata, he’ll be ready to live up to the hype surrounding his signing.
For the Bulldogs – that’s Sonny Bill Williams.
The Dogs were lost at sea without their Kiwi enforcer against the Raiders, but were a different looking outfit against the Roosters when he made his return from injury.
We are still yet to see the best of Williams in 2008 – and if he’s going to produce it, now would be the time. His work rate is as high as ever, but those flashes of Sonny Brilliance have been few and far between.
PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head: Bulldogs $2.05 – Rabbitohs $1.75
All signs point to a South Sydney victory here but, with an average winning margin of just 3 points, this should be a close one.
Take the Rabbitohs to win 1-12, or if you think the Bulldogs are due – have a dabble on them with the start.
CASUALTY WARD
Bulldogs: Kane Cleal – hip (indefinite), Andrew Emelio – knee (Round 18), Willie Tonga – shoulder (season), Justin Tsoulos – shoulder (season), Luke Patten – back (indefinite), Nick Kouparitsas – ankle (Round 18), Matt Utai – knee (indefinite), Daniel Holdsworth – thigh (Round 19), Michael Sullivan – hamstring (season).
Rabbitohs: All available
BAD BOYS
Bulldogs: -
Rabbitohs: -
TEAM LISTS
Bulldogs: Brent Crisp, Hazem El Masri, Daryl Millard, Tim Winitana, Heka Nanai, Arana Taumata, Ben Roberts, Jarrad Hickey, Corey Hughes, Fred Briggs, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan (capt), Reni Maitua. Interchange: Lee Te Maari, Brad Morrin, John Kite, Aaron Groom.
Rabbitohs: Luke Capewell, Nathan Merritt, Jamie Simpson, Beau Champion, Fetuli Talanoa, Craig Wing, Chris Sandow, Scott Geddes, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (capt), Luke Stuart, David Fa'alogo, John Sutton. Interchange: Beau Falloon, Shannan McPherson, Manase Manuokafoa, Michael Greenfield, David Kidwell (one to be omitted).
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