South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons Preview
The Dragons have had a dismal start in terms of results but have been in many games. The Rabbitohs haven't won a game by 13+ all season, so I'm take St George Illawarra with the start in what can also be a low-scoring game.
- Dragons have covered a +13.5 line in four of their last five games vs Souths
- Dragons have covered a +13.5 line in four of their six games this season
- Rabbitohs have failed to cover a -13.5 line in all five games this season
- Dragons have seen Under 52.5 points in five of their six games this season
- Under 52.5 points has landed in the last four NRL meetings between the teams
- Setu Tu has scored a try in two of his last four games
- Rabbitohs have conceded 1+ try to an opposition winger in four of their five games this season
- Rabbitohs have lost their last six games without fullback Jye Gray
Rabbitohs vs Dragons Head To Head
The Dragons have won three of the last five meetings, but Souths have prevailed in the last two.
South Sydney Rabbitohs Unpredictable
Souths remain one of the hardest teams to get a read on in the NRL.
After impressive back-to-back victories over the Tigers and Bulldogs, the Bunnies were terrible in the first half of last week's defeat to Canberra out in Perth.
The Rabbitohs were all over the place as they trailed 22-4 at the break. Wayne Bennett's half-time spray got them back on track, but the damage was done and not even a late flurry of points could save them as they went down 36-34.
The loss of Jye Gray to injury was huge, with Latrell getting found out at fullback with some lazy positioning and various other errors.
South Sydney Rabbitohs Team News
Former Dragon Matt Dufty gets his second chance in the NRL and replaces Gray at fullback, while Lachlan Hubner comes in for David Fififta, who is out with a hamstring injury.
Reserves
South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List
1. Matthew Dufty
2. Alex Johnston
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Jack Wighton
5. Campbell Graham
6. Cody Walker
7. Jamie Humphreys
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Brandon Smith
10. Keaon Koloamatangi
11. Lachlan Hubner
12. Tallis Duncan
13. Cameron Murray
Interchange
14. Peter Mamouzelos
15. Bronson Garlick
16. Sean Keppie
17. Jayden Sullivan
Reserves
18. Edward Kosi
19. Thomas Fletcher
20. Salesi Ataata
21. Moala Graham-Taufa
22. Liam Le Blanc
St George Illawarra Dragons Still Seeking A Spark
The Dragons have been absolutely woeful to start the season - their attack is completely non-existent and it's obvious for anyone to see that Kyle Flanagan would have been dropped a long time ago if he wasn't the coach's son.
Nathaniel Atkinson simply isn't a natural halfback to take on the creative responsibility and their defence just hasn't been able to hold on, probably knowing they don't have enough points in them to be competitive.
Somehow, the Dragons found themselves in a winning position in the second half against Manly, but they couldn't ice the game and ultimately went down 28-18 to fall to 0-6 this season.
St George Illawarra Dragons Team News
Mat Feagai starts in place of Moses Suli, who is out with an eye socket injury.
Reserves
St George Illawarra Dragons Team List
1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Christian Tuipulotu
3. Mathew Feagai
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Setu Tu
6. Daniel Atkinson
7. Kyle Flanagan
8. Emre Guler
9. Damien Cook
10. Toby Couchman
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Hamish Stewart
Interchange
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Blake Lawrie
16. Jacob Halangahu
17. Josh Kerr
Reserves
18. Hame Sele
19. Kade Reed
20. David Fale
21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
22. Lyhkan King-Togia