PREVIEW OF NRL WEEK ONE FINALS MATCHES (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sydney Cricket Ground, 7.50pm
Head to Head: Rabbitohs 126, Roosters 111, drawn 7
Last clash: Round 25 2019 – Souths 16 bt Roosters 10 at ANZ Stadium
South Sydney are the only team to beat the premiership favourites twice this season after the Roosters suffered a shock loss to the Rabbitohs last weekend. Tricolours enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves beat his katest charge the judiciary on Tuesday and will play alongside returnees Luke Keary, Brett Morris, Mitch Aubusson and Siosiua Taukeiaho. Souths centre James Roberts makes a timely return from suspension to replace Dane Gagai (hamstring) but they’re without inspirational skipper Sam Burgess (suspended). George Burgess makes his return from a nine-week ban for eye-gouging. Keary’s return will likely unlock the rest of the Roosters spine in Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco.
Key: Halves – Roosters star Luke Keary returns and will lock horns with Souths magician Cody Walker, who has lit up the NRL in recent weeks.
Tip: Roosters
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park, 5.40pm
Head to Head: Storm 31 Raiders 12, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 22 2019 – Raiders 22 bt Storm 18 at AAMI Park
The Raiders have named their strongest side of the season and were the last team to beat the Storm after coming back from 18-0 in Melbourne four weeks ago. But the Storm have already produced a historic 20-win season and Melbourne haven’t lost to a team twice at home in one season since 2014 – and it’s only happened twice this century. Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster returns to lead the competition’s best attack and defence. Canberra welcome back six starters, including internationals BJ Leilua and Joe Tapine, and will be desperate to win to host their first preliminary final this century.
Key: Hookers – Cameron Smith and Josh Hodgson are two of the best hookers in the NRL and the victor of this mouth-watering duel could decide the match.
Tip: Storm
Manly Sea Eagles v Cronulla Sharks at Lottoland, 7.50pm
Head to Head: Sea Eagles 72, Sharks 26, drawn 4
Last clash: Round 10 2019 – Sea Eagles 24 bt Sharks 14 at Pointsbet Stadium
An injury crisis has pulverised Manly at exactly the wrong time, exacerbated by the ban dished out to forwards leader Martin Taupau. They’re at home and have won 16 out of their last 18 against the Sharks but will need to pull out something special if they’re not to be the first team eliminated from the finals. Cronulla already have an encouraging sudden-death win under their belt, achieved at Leichhardt Oval last week. If Matt Moylan shakes off a hamstring injury they’ll be an even better chance of ending an 11-year drought on the northern beaches.
Key: Tony Williams – A shock recall for T-Rex who could be crucial in a Sea Eagles pack crying out for go-forward.
Tip: Sharks
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos at Bankwest Stadium, 4.05pm
Head to Head: Broncos 34, Eels 22, drawn 2
Last clash: Round 24 2019 – Broncos 17 bt Eels 16 (golden point) at Suncorp Stadium
Parramatta have gone to another level at their new home venue this season, including a 28-point drubbing of the Broncos three months ago. Brisbane struck back with a golden point thriller just a fortnight ago, with Jamayne Isaako’s field goal instrumental in snatching eighth place for the visitors. Payne Haas and David Fifita are in rare form in the Brisbane pack and are joined up front by Joe Ofahengaue. They’ll need to gain the ascendancy if they’re to stymie the creativity of Mitchell Moses and prevent Maika Sivo and Blake Ferguson getting the space they relish.
Key: Darius Boyd – Criticised all year, can the veteran Broncos skipper unearth a performance that shades the lively Moses?
Tip: Eels