Following a week fuelled by emotion, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will need to back up their efforts when they host the Melbourne Storm on Friday night in a bid to claim back-to-back victories for the first time in 2023.
The Script So Far: Rabbitohs vs Storm
There’s no denying that the overall ledger between the Rabbitohs and Storm has heavily favoured Melbourne in the 25 years of matches played between the two clubs.
While the Storm hold the advantage, the Red and Green have claimed some memorable wins against their opponents over the years, including a historic first in 2003 (41-14), a close encounter in Perth in 2010 (16-14), a famous finals victory in 2013 (20-10), and a thrilling affair at Accor Stadium in 2018 (30-20).
A booming two-point field goal from the boot of Latrell Mitchell sent the two sides into Golden Point in the first meeting last season down in Melbourne, and while the men from Redfern were eventually pipped by a point, they returned serve in Round 19 at home in what was a controlled performance.
It was a match that not only broke a seven-game losing streak against the Storm, but also heralded the rise of the spine combination between Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Lachlan Ilias and Damien Cook.
This time around, Jason Demetriou’s men will have the chance to not only claim consecutive wins for 2023 but also become the first South Sydney side to do so against Melbourne.
The Line Ups:
The Rabbitohs receive a welcome boost with forward Hame Sele back in the side following an 11-day HIA stand-down in their line up to face the Storm.
South Sydney’s backline remains intact from the gritty 13-12 victory in Round 4, with Latrell Mitchell at fullback, Alex Johnston and Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson on the wings and Isaiah Tass and Campbell Graham in the centres.
Cody Walker lines up in the no.6 jersey alongside halfback Lachlan Ilias, who will be brimming with confidence off the back of his clutch field goal that won the match for the Rabbitohs in Golden Point.
Daniel Suluka-Fifita lines up in the front row alongside Thomas Burgess, with Damien Cook in the no.9 jersey, pushing Keaon Kolaomatangi back into the back row with Jacob Host and Captain Cameron Murray.
The interchange bench features Jed Cartwright, Michael Chee-Kam, Davvy Moale and the returning Sele, with Blake Taaffe named at 18th man. Meanwhile, Dean Hawkins, last week’s debutant Ben Lovett, Taane Milne and Tallis Duncan make their way onto the extended bench.
Melbourne has one change to their side that defeated the Wests Tigers, with forward Tom Eisenhuth replacing utility back Tyrant Wishart on their interchange bench, while they will be without halfback Jahrome Hughes (suspension), front rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (both injured).
Still, the Rabbitohs’ opponents this week still feature representative players such as Xavier Coates, Justin Olam, Christian Welch, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster - and as always, an 80-minute performance will be required to defeat Melbourne.
Key Battle: Superstar Sixes
With both sides missing key members in the forward pack, it’s up to superstar five-eighths Cody Walker and Cameron Munster to duke it out for the all-important competition points.
Walker was at the forefront of the Rabbitohs’ win over the Sea Eagles, with his two-try performance proving pivotal as he threatened on both sides of the field.
The 33-year-old finished the match with 99 running metres – his highest mark of 2023 so far – and he will be looking to test out the Melbourne defence that is missing a number of regular starters.
His opposite this week was just as influential for the Storm down in Melbourne last Friday. In his first match back from a compound fracture in his finger, the Queensland Maroons pivot was at his vintage best as he scored a try, laid on another and ran for 145 metres.
In what is expected to be another war of attrition between two sides, the flair and unpredictability from the men in the no.6 jersey will be imperative to the final result.
In Conclusion:
After what was one of the biggest weeks in the Club’s history in recent seasons both on and off the field, the seventeen players that take the field this Friday will need to brush off their emotions and fatigue against Manly if they are to claim the two competition points in this one.
Hame Sele’s return is a welcomed one, especially with a number of key figures in the forward pack on the sideline, and this match is an opportunity that the Rabbitohs will want to capitalise on considering their opponents have their own fair share of absentees.
No matter the setting, matches between the Rabbitohs and Storm always seem to have their fair share of controversy and drama, so Members and supporters won’t want to miss out on this Friday night blockbuster.
For those looking to attend the match, you can purchase tickets here, while those unable to do so can cheer on the Red and Green via Channel 9 and Foxtel, or stream via Kayo.
Glory, Glory.
