Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles
Saturday 11 February
Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Kick-off: 7:30pm (AEST)
In a game played in four quarters with unlimited interchange, it will be a battle of squad depth at Campbelltown Stadium as Maguire’s exciting young team, guided by several experienced first-graders, clash with a near full-strength Manly outfit.
Manly Coach Trent Barrett has opted to play a strong squad for today’s encounter but with hot conditions expected at Campbelltown Stadium it’s unlikely we’ll see big minutes from his NRL stars. Maguire, on the other hand, is giving opportunity to many talented prospects coming through the South Sydney ranks and is blooding faces you can expect to see in the Rabbitohs first-grade squad in the near future.
For the Western Sydney Rabbitohs fan, today is an exciting opportunity to get a look at the talented depth recruited over the off-season. Junior Kangaroos Robert Jennings and Tyrell Fuimaono will take the field with NSW U/18s Origin Captain Cam Murray and Auckland Nines standout Braidon Burns. New recruits Anthony Cherrington and Robbie Rochow will join big George Burgess in the forward pack under the captaincy of Jason Clark.
With both coaches naming extended benches, Campbelltown Stadium will see a battle of depth quality as many players take the field to showcase their ability at the top level. The quality of the Rabbitohs depth is an area that Maguire has praised and he is expecting them to come out firing against Manly.
“It’s obviously a fairly competitive squad at the moment. Training has been very competitive on the field, but once the games come, you make your decisions around where we’re going,” said Maguire.
“There are a lot of good names there, which has brought that competitive nature to our training over these last couple of months, but the games now are going to give them a great opportunity to show what they’ve got.”
The aggression and talent of Maguire’s young and hungry squad will be pitted against the experience of a strong Manly side. However, for all their experience, Manly captain Daley Cherry-Evans admits his side’s chemistry is untested heading into this trial.
“We have a new spine. We have squeezed in as many repetitions as we possibly can this pre-season to try and get our combinations flowing really well,” said Cherry-Evans.
“We are definitely going into these trial matches as opportunities to prepare for the season ahead, and that starts with a good performance in round one.”
For the fans, inflatable water slides will be set up at the venue for some cool, family fun! There will be plenty of drinks and water available at the ground for purchase and the Rabbitohs merchandise outlets will be carrying plenty of hats, caps and other items to keep you as cool as possible at the game. Click here for more information.
Tickets for the game are available by clicking here, by calling 132 849, at any Ticketek outlet, or at the gates on Saturday evening.
SPOTLIGHT: The Interchange
Unlimited interchange and four quarters will make up today’s clash at Campbelltown Stadium and with both coaches naming extended benches there will be a big importance on when and how the coaches mastermind their interchanges. Maguire and Barrett have plenty to juggle as they manage the intensity and tempo of their thirteen on the field in today’s conditions.
