Warriors face battle to rule the roost again
If a week is a long time in sport, then three months must feel like a lifetime ago for South Sydney.
After opening their campaign with back-to-back losses, including the round one defeat to the Warriors in Perth, 2018 had the look of a rebuilding year for the Rabbitohs as they adjusted to life under new coach Anthony Seibold.
Put that down to teething problems. Souths have since shown they are very much in the premiership mix, thriving under Seibold’s attacking style to charge up to fourth on the table.
While the Rabbitohs have won five of their last six games, the Warriors are looking to register back-to-back victories for the first time since early April ahead of next week’s bye.
They meet at Mt Smart tonight with the visitors not only having the chance to get one back over Stephen Kearney’s side but also overtake them in third place.
And the home team is under no illusions of the challenge in front of them.
‘‘I think they’re a completely different team from the first time we played them,’’ Warriors lock Adam Blair said.
‘‘It’s similar to when we first played the Roosters. We went over there and did a good job. We expected them to come over here [two weeks ago] all fired up and ready to take it to us. And they did.
‘‘We haven’t really backed up well after we’ve won a game after a big loss.
‘‘It’s something we’ve looked at this time around going into rest week.
‘‘It’s all about leaving nothing in the tank and putting your body on the line in this one game.’’
The Warriors will have to be at their best defensively with the Rabbitohs, arguably the most dangerous attacking side in the competition.
Heading into the weekend, South Sydney were among the leaders in most of the NRL’s attacking stats, including tries scored (first equal), line breaks (first), points (second) and total run metres (second).
Shutting down the likes of Queensland duo Greg Inglis, who has moved to fullback for the injured Alex Johnston, and Dane Gagai is easier said than done.
But Blair believes a disciplined display is crucial to their chances.
He says the Warriors can make life much easier for themselves by not gifting the Rabbitohs easy metres up the field.
‘‘Obviously, against this team, they have a big pack and discipline is the key for us,’’ Blair said.
‘‘You can’t give piggy backs off their tryline and give them momentum down the other end.’’
As well as they have been travelling on attack, Seibold emphasised the need for a strong defensive display to limit the Warriors threats.
‘‘In game one against the Warriors we still scored 20 points but we just weren’t good enough defensively,’’ he said. ‘‘They’ve got strengths all across the park. From their back three to Blake Green in the halves to Issac Luke at hooker and Adam Blair through the middle of the park, it’s going to be a really tough game.’’
While Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s fiancee Ashley Walker is expected to give birth to their first child today, Seibold said that the Rabbitohos have prepared for the Warriors skipper to play.
Halfback Mason Lino is also in doubt with a leg injury and if both are ruled out the Warriors’ backline could be in for a major reshuffle.
Centre Peta Hiku, who filled in for Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback against the Eels last week, could move into the halves with Gerard Beale and possibly Charnze NicollKlokstad a chance to come in. NRL, Warriors v Rabbitohs
7.30pm tonight, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c) David Fusitu’a, Peta Hiku, Solomone Kata, Ken Maumalo, Blake Green, Mason Lino, James Gavet, Issac Luke, Agnatius Paasi, Simon Mannering, Tohu Harris, Adam Blair. Interchange: Jazz Tevaga, Chris Satae, Bunty Afoa, Isaiah Papali’i, Gerard Beale, Karl Lawton, Albert Vete, Anthony Gelling.
Greg Inglis (c), Campbell Graham, Adam Doueihi, Dane Gagai, Hymel Hunt, Cody Walker, Adam Reynolds, Thomas Burgess, Damien Cook, George Burgess, John Sutton, Angus Crichton, Sam Burgess. Interchange: Cameron Murray, Mark Nicholls, Jason Clark, Tevita Tatola, Robbie Farah, Robert Jennings, Braidon Burns, Kyle Tuner.