NRL
Rabbitohs vs Raiders
Sunday 31 August, 2pm
ANZ Stadium
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are set take on top four aspirants, the Canberra Raiders, on Sunday afternoon at home at ANZ Stadium in what is shaping as an important game for both Clubs.
The Rabbitohs are looking to halt a long losing streak with a win in the Sunday football game, only their fifth afternoon game of the year, as they look to build some momentum into the back end of the year and into next season.
The Raiders are aiming to cement a spot in the top four with a win on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors have named an unchanged line up to that which defeated the Warriors last weekend in a golden point thriller.
The Rabbitohs, however, have had to make a number of changes due to injury and suspension. Michael Oldfield returns to the NRL side in place of Joe Burgess on the wing. Bryson Goodwin has been ruled out with a broken arm and Thomas Burgess will be on the sidelines due to suspension. Replacements for Goodwin and Burgess are yet to be named.
The Rabbitohs will be celebrating Members Appreciation Round this Sunday and encourage all Members to turn out at this game and get behind the team as they try and turn around the recent results on the scoreboard.
During an interview on Tuesday, Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire previewed how his side will defend the Raiders attack.
"They're a team that likes to throw the ball around and they do chance, they chance their hand," said Maguire.
"They do shift around and it gives you great opportunity to defensively force some errors.
"If we do that well we'll give ourselves a great chance of getting the ball and putting our play on."
Maguire is also excited about the prospect of a major forward battle with the Rabbitohs’ fiery forward pack colliding with the Raiders’ mobile pack, in the middle.
"I think it'll be a big battle there in the middle," said Maguire.
"They've got a forward pack that like to take you on so I know our forwards will enjoy that.
"I saw some really good signs in that second half so I'm looking forward to seeing the boys really get that on against the Raiders."
Similarly, the Raiders are not taking the Rabbitohs lightly and are readying themselves for a major clash. During a press conference on Wednesday, Raiders five-eighth Blake Austin said that the Rabbitohs are a scary team who will be tough to beat on Sunday.
“They’re a very proud club and they’ll be working hard to get the win this weekend as will we,” said Austin.
“They’re going to be a huge task. They’ve got a great forward pack and some really good young outside backs, and they’re led around by Adam Reynolds, so we know what we’re in for and we’ll go in and try to do our best.”
Spotlight: The Forwards
The Raiders have one of the biggest forward packs in the competition but the Rabbitohs cannot be written off either.
Interestingly, four English forward will go head-to-head in this battle on Sunday, with George and Sam Burgess starting in the Rabbitohs’ forward pack, and Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead representing the Raiders.
All four are expected to feature in the England side at the end-of-season Four Nations tournament.
Will we see some old fashioned English fire and brimstone from these four players? Be there at ANZ Stadium on Sunday to find out!
Holden Cup
Rabbitohs vs Raiders
Sunday 31 August, 11:45am
ANZ Stadium
The Rabbitohs will be looking for back-to-back victories in the Holden Cup under 20s competition when they take on the Raiders at 11:45am on Sunday morning at ANZ Stadium.
The Rabbitohs secured a high-scoring 44-40 victory over Manly last weekend, however they will face stiffer competition in the Raiders this Sunday who are clinging to eighth spot with six matches to go.
South Sydney junior and NSW under 18s representative Keaon Koloamatangi was outstanding last week for the young Rabbitohs, running for 178 metres, making 26 tackles, two line breaks and six offloads.
If the young Rabbitohs’ backs can run off his hip all night then those six offloads could lead to more line breaks and more points.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON NRL - PERFECT FOR FAMILIES!
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