Souths, Roosters renew rivalry

SYDNEY: The Roosters were starting to look unbeatable before last week’s final-round loss to the Rabbitohs — their second loss of the year to their arch-rivals.
Coach Trent Robinson might not be able to name his strongest side but the premiers have covered gaps well with minimal fuss all season.
It was a only a few weeks ago that the Rabbitohs looked like they had nothing left in the tank.
But Wayne Bennett worked his magic and they won their final three games and will head into tonight’s rematch with their greatest rivals on a high after sending the Roosters crashing back to earth last week.
The Roosters and the Rabbitohs have played in 11 finals matches with Souths holding a 6-5 edge but nine of those games were played before WWII.
The last finals match between them at the Sydney Cricket Ground was in 1938, won by the Tricolours 19-10.
For the Roosters to win.
The return of Keary — he missed last week to witness the birth of his first child — not only eases Cronk’s workload, it adds an important dimension to their attack.
Put simply, when Keary is on, the Roosters are on.
Tedesco and Mitchell love the bright lights of finals footy, while Angus Crichton will be out to make a lasting impression in his first finals game in Roosters colours.
For the Rabbitohs to win.
Damien Cook, who tops the league for line-break assists and dummy-half runs and is top five in tackles made, must continue his recovery from a post-Origin slump of his own.
The loss of Sam Burgess to suspension leaves them short of arguably their best big-game player, which means Cook, Walker and Adam Reynolds have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders to steer the Bunnies around.
Fixtures: Fri, Sept 13 – Roosters v Rabbitohs (7.50pm kick-off); Sat, Sept 14 – Storm v Raiders (5.40pm), Sea Eagles v Sharks (7.50pm); Sun, Sept 15 – Eels v Broncos (4.05pm). – NRL