With a rich history dating back close to 120 years, it’s fair to say that for the most part, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have done all there is to do in Rugby League.
However, in a rare first, the Rabbitohs will make their maiden journey up to Kayo Stadium to play the NRL’s newcomers, the Dolphins, on their historic home turf this Thursday night.
Off the back of some seriously red-hot form, South Sydney will be licking their lips in anticipation of this match, and the chance to string together six straight victories.
Having entered the NRL just last season, the Dolphins have only been drawn to face off against South Sydney on one prior occasion, with the Cardinal and Myrtle coming out on top at Suncorp Stadium in round seven last year.
While it was a dominant win for South Sydney in the end, they did trail 14-6 at half time, and had plenty to do in the second stanza to secure the two competition points.
Fortunately, thanks to a double from Campbell Graham and tries to Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Alex Johnston and Isaiah Tass, the Rabbitohs piled on 30 unanswered points in the second half to emerge victorious 36-14.
The final try to Alex Johnston was particularly noteworthy. Not so much because of the finish from ‘AJ’ – but because of the exquisite cut-out ball from Cody Walker that saw Johnston released down the sideline. It was an absolute beauty of a ball, even by Walker’s lofty standards.
Origin selection and injuries have forced coach Ben Hornby to name a slightly different side from that which defeated Parramatta last week for South Sydney’s fifth win on the trot.
After succumbing to a left foot injury sustained in last week’s win over the Eels, Latrell Mitchell has been replaced by young star Jye Gray in the fullback position.
Gray has impressed so far in his four previous starts in the NRL. His lightning speed and his diminutive build have made him extremely hard for opposition defenders to get a hold of, making him the perfect candidate to spark the South Sydney attack in Mitchell’s absence.
He was particularly damaging in his last start in round 16 against the Sea Eagles when he again deputized for Mitchell, running for a career high of 199m. He also broke four tackles and made 61m post-contact, which shows his small stature is no hindrance when it comes to matching it with the big boys of the NRL.
Michael Chee Kam has also been named to elevate into the starting side in the number 11 jersey to replace captain Cameron Murray, who is absent due to New South Wales State of Origin commitments.
Chee Kam is a very handy replacement for Murray. He has shown time and time again that he is equally adept at starting as he is at coming off the bench, and can bring plenty of impact to a game in any situation.
Meanwhile, Cody Walker will resume the captaincy duties in Murray’s stead, as he did earlier in the season when Murray was out through injury for an extended period.
Finally, Liam Le Blanc has been named for the second NRL match of his career. The exciting young forward will come onto the bench to replace Chee Kam as a flow-on effect from Murray’s absence.
Stat Attack
- South Sydney won their only prior encounter with the Dolphins 36-14 in round seven last year.
- This match is the first time that the Rabbitohs will play at Kayo Stadium.
- The Rabbitohs are looking to make it six in a row with a win in this one, after defeating Parramatta (twice), Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Manly-Warringah in their previous five matches.
- Alex Johnston has scored one try from one appearance against the Dolphins, and will be eager to (at least) maintain that record.
