Rugbyleaguelive.com | 25/06/09 | 0

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Monday 29th June, 7.00pm
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Referees: Shayne Hayne, Gerard Sutton

HEAD TO HEAD
Knights 23 wins, Rabbitohs 6 wins

FORM GUIDE
Knights: LWLWWWLWWWLWLLB
Rabbitohs: WLWWLLWLBWDLLLB

Both sides enjoyed a bye last weekend after successive defeats, and will be desperate to get back on the winners list on Monday night.

The Knights have beaten three of the NRL’s top four teams (they haven’t played Melbourne yet) but slumped to losses against the struggling Eels and Warriors in the past fortnight.

It’s been six weeks since South Sydney has tasted victory, with Jason Taylor’s team looking a pale imitation of the side that briefly topped the table earlier this year.

NSW skipper Kurt Gidley was “shattered” with Wednesday night’s Origin loss and will have a chance to take out his frustrations on the Rabbitohs, who welcome back Queensland’s Michael Crocker from Origin.

Craig Wing – who missed Origin II with a hamstring injury – has been named to return for the Rabbitohs.

KEY MATCH UP
Jarrod Mullen v Chris Sandow
With Peter Wallace all but certain to lose his grip on the NSW halfback spot, Mullen has a golden opportunity to emerge as the next long-term option for the coveted Blues No.7 jersey.

His form abandoned him at just the wrong time as Origin season arrived, with selectors preferring Sharks veteran Trent Barrett when the five-eighth position became available.

But if Mullen can regain his early-season touch and guide Newcastle to victories in the coming weeks, a second Origin call-up could well be his for the taking.

Sandow has also suffered a slump in form after starting the year strongly, and has been identified by opponents as a defensive liability.

The little Rabbitohs halfback has missed 92 tackles this year – a whopping 40 more than anybody else in the NRL.

It’s a damning stat for a guy who loves making big hits against larger opponents, and the Knights are sure to send plenty of traffic at him on Monday night.

But it’s what the talented playmaker can do in attack that could decide the Bunnies’ chances.

PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head: Knights $1.43; Rabbitohs $2.75
Newcastle have been well below their best in recent times but should be too good for a Souths team that has really lost its way in the last month and a half.

The Bunnies do have plenty of attacking weapons in their team (Sandow, Wing, John Sutton, Nathan Merritt), but just haven’t been able to put it all together in recent times.

Newcastle by 6.

CASUALTY WARD
Knights: Dan Tolar – knee (Rnd 17), Cameron Ciraldo – ankle (finals), Ben Cross – bicep (finals), James McManus – ankle (Rnd 18), Scott Dureau – groin (Rnd 17)
Rabbitohs: Rhys Wesser – knee (Rnd 20), Shaune Corrigan – leg (indefinite), Kane Cleal – wrist (season)

BAD BOYS
Knights: -
Rabbitohs: -

TEAM LISTS
KNIGHTS: Kurt Gidley (capt), Keith Lulia, Junior Sau, Adam MacDougall, Akulia Uate, Ben Rogers, Jarrod Mullen, Mark Taufua, Isaac DeGois, Chris Houston, Steve Simpson, Zeb Taia, Matt Hilder. Interchange: Wes Naiqama, Marvin Karawana, Richie Faaoso, Danny Wicks, Shannon McDonnell (one to be omitted)
RABBITOHS: Nathan Merritt, Jamie Simpson, Colin Best, Ben Lowe, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Scott Geddes, Craig Wing, Roy Asotasi (capt), Luke Stuart, David Fa'alogo, Michael Crocker. Interchange: Issac Luke, Eddy Pettybourne, David Kidwell, Jaiman Lowe, Shannan McPherson, Garret Crossman (two to be omitted)