THE MATCH-UPS CRUCIAL IN SOUTH SYDNEY VS MANLY CLASH

* Sam Burgess (Rabbitohs) v Marty Taupau (Sea Eagles)

Both are leaders of their respective packs. And both are back from suspension, setting the stage for an on-field clash that may yet be felt in the grandstands. South Sydney’s Burgess and Manly wrecking ball Taupau have already carved out a reputation as two of the NRL’s most feared forwards. But the pair are set to go to another level of scary after a frustrating week on the sideline and with an NRL preliminary final berth on the line. Burgess has already fired up, copping a “please explain” from the NRL for accusing the judiciary of being a “kangaroo court” after copping a week for a hair pull. The no nonsense Taupau will no doubt do his talking on the field when he resumes his place in arguably the NRL’s best front-row pairing alongside Addin Fonua-Blake.

* Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs) v Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)

Reynolds will be out to spark a South Sydney outfit that were made to pay for a slow start in their 30-6 thumping from Sydney Roosters. He is set to take on the line more often after weaving his way to score the Rabbitohs’ sole try last week but may do the most damage with his masterful kicking game. While the Roosters halves proved a nightmare, DCE is another challenge entirely. Cherry-Evans has arguably been the form No.7 of the year, a point he rammed home in Manly’s 28-16 last round upset of Cronulla with two try assists, two line break assists, seven tackle busts and no missed tackles. After overcoming a virus, he will look to build pressure with his kicking game – he has an NRL high of four 40-20s – but showed against the Sharks he is most dangerous with ball in hand.

* Adam Doueihi (Rabbitohs) v Brendan Elliot (Sea Eagles)

Doueihi will no doubt be breathing easier after returning to fullback following a nightmare on the wing in last week’s thumping from the Roosters. The Roosters ran amok on the Rabbitohs’ right edge, running three tries down Doueihi’s side of the field and prompting coach Wayne Bennett to admit he had made a mistake. The No.1 jersey will no doubt be also sitting well on Manly’s Brendan Elliot’s shoulders. Asked to fill the big shoes left behind by Tom Trbojevic (pectoral) the last month, the former centre and winger now appears at home at fullback judging by last week’s effort. He scored a try and finished with eight tackle busts to be the Sea Eagles’ unsung hero of their finals win over the Sharks.