PREVIEW OF NRL WEEK TWO FINALS MATCHES (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly Sea Eagles at ANZ Stadium, 7.50pm
Head to Head: Rabbitohs 66, Sea Eagles 77
Last clash: Round 17 2019 – Rabbitohs 21 bt Sea Eagles 20 at ANZ Stadium
Not much has separated the two teams this year. In fact they are on track to be only the third match-up in history to have three straight games decided by one point. While South Sydney took the honours in their last clash against Manly, they will be down in confidence after being blown off the park last week 30-6 by a rampant Sydney Roosters. However, the Rabbitohs will be a different beast this week with the return of captain Sam Burgess (suspension) and centre Dane Gagai (hamstring). Pack leader Burgess will line up with his brothers George and Thomas for the first time since round 13 in a huge boost for the Rabbitohs who were bullied last week as the Tri-Colours got off to a flyer. Manly will welcome back a strike weapon of their own, wrecking ball Marty Taupau who missed last week’s upset finals win over Cronulla due to suspension for a high shot. Taupau will resume a scary front-row partnership with Addin Fonua-Blake. The biggest beneficiary of their reunion is set to be Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans who staked a claim as the NRL’s best No.7 with a masterclass against the Sharks. The winner takes on Canberra in the preliminary final.
Key: Can a Taupau-led Sea Eagles pack stop a returning Sam Burgess? The Rabbitohs skipper already appears fired up judging by his “kangaroo court” judiciary comment that has again landed him in hot water.
Tip: Rabbitohs
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park, 7.50pm
Head to Head: Storm 22, Eels 13
Last clash: Round 9, 2019 – Storm 64 bt Eels 10 at Suncorp Stadium
Anyone who claimed Parramatta would meet Melbourne in a 2019 semi-final would have been laughed at after the Storm ran amok in round nine to win 64-10. Yet last year’s wooden spooners the Eels will not only do just that, they are even a chance of springing a major boilover. Parramatta are riding high after their 58-0 elimination final demolition of Brisbane that has plunged the former glamour club into a full blown crisis. If they weren’t confident enough, the Eels have been further buoyed by the return of forward Kane Evans from suspension. In contrast, minor premiers Melbourne are in a rare position – they are under pressure. After dominating the regular season the Storm received a reality check in last week’s 12-10 qualifying final loss to Canberra in Melbourne, albeit after a controversial touch judge’s call. Despite scoring more points than any other in 2019, Melbourne’s attack has even been questioned, described as “predictable” by NSW coach Brad Fittler in the wake of last week’s upset. Still, few would tip against a Melbourne outfit that has appeared in the last three grand finals. Especially after looking at their record against the Eels. Parramatta haven’t beaten Melbourne in a non-Origin-affected round since 2012. Few would doubt Eels’ self belief though after the record romp over the Broncos after their underrated pack continued to punch above its weight. The winner books an away preliminary final against defending champions Sydney Roosters.
Key: Can Mitchell Moses maintain his Midas touch? He tore Brisbane apart last round but a desperate Melbourne will be a very different proposition for the Eels half.
Tip: Storm
