Sunday’s NRL 2018 Round 16 match is between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Nth Queensland Cowboys. The opening kick is set to commence at 16:10 local time with the game to be played at Barlow Park, Cairns. The home team South Sydney Rabbitohs are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Nth Queensland Cowboys.
When: 16:10 | Sunday 01/07/2018
Where: Barlow Park, Cairns
Preview:
The final game rounding out round 16 sees the Rabbitohs taking their home game to the far north at Barlow Park in Cairns.
Statistically, the best team in the comp, the Bunnies have put the NRL on notice and will look to put the Origin period behind them and knuckle down on the remainder of 2018 but they will have a few unexpected losses between now and the finals.
The hangover of the Origin series will affect all sides but when that happens is yet to be seen.
Could it be this week against the Cowboys who in theory have no right to win this one?
Possibly.
The games you’re supposed to win can be the most dangerous.
I’ll be looking for the non-representative players to really aim up and carry their stars.
If the Rabbitohs complete well and execute their defensive structures, I see them winning easy.
KEY BATTLE: Adam Reynolds v Jonathan Thurston
Both are excellent players and will be required to be the ringmasters if their side is to grab victory.
Look for the kicking games to provide the difference.
The Verdict
I’m going to stick with the Rabbitohs but wouldn’t be surprised if the Cowboys pulled off a victory.
Souths have a 24-19 (55.8 percent) O/U record as a home team since 2015.
Unibet Odds:
South Sydney at $1.32
North Queensland at $3.45
Odds:
Tip: South Sydney Rabbitohs at $1.32
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Alex Johnston at $13.00
More Info:
Teams:
South Sydney Rabbitohs:
1 Alex Johnston, 2 Campbell Graham, 3 Greg Inglis (c), 4 Dane Gagai, 5 Robert Jennings, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Damien Cook, 10 George Burgess, 11 John Sutton, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14 Adam Doueihi, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Jason Clark, 17 Tevita Tatola
Reserves: 18 Billy Brittain, 19 Hymel Hunt, 20 Mark Nicholls, 21 Tyrell Fuimaono.
Nth Queensland Cowboys: 
1 Lachlan Coote, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Kane Linnett, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matt Scott (c), 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14 Ben Hampton, 15 Shaun Fensom, 16 Corey Jensen, 21 Francis Molo
Reserves: 18 Justin O’Neill, 19 Ethan Lowe, 20 Mitchell Dunn, 21 Shane Wright, 22 Javid Bowen, 23 Gideon Gela-Mosby.
NRL News:
Anthony Seibold has revealed negotiations have begun with South Sydney on a contract extension despite being just 15 games into his rookie season as head coach.
The Rabbitohs cemented their status as the hottest team in the league, moving to the top of the table with a 42-24 romp over Parramatta on Thursday.
It was also their seventh win in a row – the first time the club has achieved the feat since 1994 – and comes as the club moves quickly to tie Siebold down on a long-term deal.
The former Queensland Cup player has been linked with Brisbane as a possible back-up plan in 2019 should coaching target Craig Bellamy re-sign with Melbourne beyond this season.
Seibold, who served under Bellamy for three years, took over from Michael Maguire on a two-year deal after the Rabbitohs missed the finals last season.
“I can understand the speculation. I’m from Queensland, but I’m in my first year. We’re 15 games now, I love the Bunnies,” Seibold said.
“I’ve got another year on my contract here and the club’s started negotiations to extend my contract. For me, that’s my priority and my focus is on my job here now. That’s all I’ve got to say on it.”
With the club set to lose up to 10 players to next week’s representative round – including four to State of Origin – Seibold has looked for alternative methods to freshen up the remainder of his squad.
The Rabbitohs will train with a similarly depleted NSW Waratahs roster on Wednesday before going on a four-day break ahead of their round-16 clash against North Queensland.
It is not the first time Seibold has opted to train with clubs from other codes, having also played hybrid games with AFL side Port Adelaide early last summer.
“The Waratahs have got a number of Wallabies players away, so they come back from Japan on Monday. I spoke to (coach) Daryl Gibson. I said, ‘Would you be keen to bring the guys in?” Seibold said.
“We’re going to be missing quite a few guys, so the group there needs to be stimulated and I think the Waratahs coming in and doing some games against us will be a good simulation next week.”