3 minute read
The rivalry between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Manly Sea Eagles will have a new chapter written on Saturday when the two sides go head-to-head at Accor Stadium.
The Rabbitohs have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes in recent weeks and are making a late push to secure a top-eight finish this season.
A win over eighth-place Manly would certainly do the Bunnies' chances no harm, with important points and bragging rights at stake in Sydney this weekend.
. What: South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly Sea Eagles
. Where: Accor Stadium, Sydney
. When: 19:35 (AEST), Saturday 22nd June 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
. Odds: South Sydney Rabbitohs 1.44, Manly Sea Eagles 2.80
Rabbitohs on the rise
The start to the 2024 NRL campaign was something to forget for the Bunnies and it was only a matter of time before head coach Jason Demetriou lost his position at the club.
Interim boss Ben Hornby has stepped up and impressed in the role, with the Rabbitohs currently on a three-game winning streak ahead of Saturday's showdown with rivals Manly.
The in-form Latrell Mitchell is away on State of Origin duty but fortunately for Souths, Jye Gray is back from an ankle injury to fill the void.
Cameron Murray is also occupied with the Origin series, so it's the teenage back-rower Liam Le Blanc who gets his opportunity this weekend.
Despite being hit with a rib injury against the Brisbane Broncos in their last outing, Jai Arrow has been passed fit to feature against the Sea Eagles.
Wins over Parramatta Eels, Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane in their last three outings has confidence grow in the Rabbitohs camp and the hosts are 1.44 to make it four victories on the spin this weekend.
Scoring 110 points over those last three games, the Bunnies are 1.91 to fall on the right side of -7.5 points in the Line market.
Winger Alex Johnston has an impressive record in this fixture, scoring 15 tries in 16 games against the Sea Eagles.
Johnston is 1.55 to score a try anytime on Saturday, while he's 6.00 to bag the opening try of the contest.
Manly hope to banish Accor Stadium hoodoo
Failing to win at Accor Stadium since 2013, this venue has not been a happy hunting ground for Manly teams or their supporters in recent years.
The Rabbitohs have won seven of their last eight games against the Sea Eagles in the NRL, with Manly at 2.80 to buck the trend with a rare victory at the home of the Bunnies this weekend.
Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau'atu are all away on Origin duty, so Karl Lawton starts in the half-backs, with Nathan Brown and Corey Waddell stepping into the back-row.
Taniela Paseka and Reuben Garrick are recovering from thumb and head injuries respectively, so it's Ethan Bullemor who starts at prop, with Aaron Schoupp coming into the centres.
Manly have their own top-eight ambitions this year and will be going all out to stop the Rabbitohs gaining ground in the race for post-regular season football.
