Rugby League LIVE

Rugbyleaguelive | 28/05/09 | 0

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS V CANBERRA RAIDERS
Monday 1st June, 7.00pm
ANZ Stadium
Referees: Steve Lyons, Ashley Klein

HEAD TO HEAD
Raiders 26 wins, Rabbitohs 15 wins

FORM GUIDE
Rabbitohs: WLWWLLWLBWD
Raiders: LLLWWLLLBLW

Despite the fury over last week’s controversial draw, Souths fans can certainly be happy that their team has taken three competition points from a possible four in the past fortnight despite being a very real chance of losing both games.

The results keep the Rabbitohs in the top eight – just – but they will slip into the bottom half of the ladder with a loss to the rejuvenated Raiders.

Canberra ended a four-game losing streak in style against the Warriors last week, with Terry Campese starring in a 38-12 rout.

Campese is on Origin duty with the Blues this week in a big loss for the Raiders, while Craig Wing (NSW) and Michael Crocker (Queensland) are both out of action for Souths.

In what must be a good sign for the club’s future, it’s the first time the Rabbitohs have had two State of Origin players in their ranks since 1987.

KEY MATCH UP
Colin Best v Joel Monaghan
Monaghan was unlucky to miss out on a NSW spot after being a standout in the backs for Canberra this year and being picked as 18th man for Australia earlier this month.

He’ll be the Raiders’ main strike weapon this week in the absence of regular go-to man Campese.

He’ll be up against a former teammate in Best, who was named Dally M winger of the year last season due his performances for Canberra.

Both centres are solid defenders and terrific ball-runners. It should be a good battle.

PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head: Rabbitohs $1.45; Raiders $2.65
Last week’s result will have given Canberra plenty of confidence, but they’ll certainly miss Campese and their away form hasn’t been flash. They have one win on the road this year, and that was against the woeful Sharks.

Souths haven’t been totally convincing of late but they should have enough to get the win here. Take them by 1-12.

CASUALTY WARD
Rabbitohs: Rhys Wesser – knee (Rnd 19), Shaune Corrigan – leg (Rnd 18), John Sutton – hand (Rnd 14)
Raiders: Justin Carney – sternum (Rnd 13)

BAD BOYS
Rabbitohs: -
Raiders: -

TEAM LISTS
RABBITOHS: Luke Capewell, Nathan Merritt, Colin Best, Beau Champion, Fetuli Talanoa, Jamie Simpson, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (capt), David Kidwell, David Fa'alogo, Eddy Pettybourne. Interchange: Beau Faloon, Ben Lowe, Jaiman Lowe, Shannan McPherson
RAIDERS:  David Milne, Adrian Purtell, Jarrod Croker, Joel Monaghan, Phil Graham, Josh McCrone, Marc Herbert, David Shillington, Glen Buttriss, Scott Logan, Tom learoyd-Lahrs, Bronson Harrison, Alan Tongue (capt). Interchange: Trevor Thurling, Nigel Plum, Josh Miller, Dane Tilse, Travis Waddell (one to be omitted).