Grand Final Match Preview
Rabbitohs vs. Bulldogs takes place today in the NRL Grand Final.
The game takes place at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney and is scheduled to start at 09:15 BST.
Team News:
Both sides appear certain to head into this clash without their established hookers. Well, the Rabbitohs will definitely be without star Kiwi rake Issac Luke, who was suspended during the week for his lifting tackle on Sonny Bill Williams in the preliminary finals.
Maguire has selected 21-year-old rookie Apisai Koroisau to make just his 14th appearance in first grade as his replacement, while back-up hooker Cameron McInnes could also be a late inclusion for the Bunnies.
Ben Te’o has also been named in the starting forward pack for the Rabbitohs after his tremendous showing against the Roosters last week, with Kyle Turner dropping back to an extended bench which also includes Ben Lowe, Luke Burgess and Bryson Goodwin.
Apisai Koroisau is likely to replace the suspended Issac Luke at hooker for South Sydney.
The Bulldogs meanwhile have surely lost captain Michael Ennis for this contest, with the departing hooker sustaining a double fracture to his foot in last week’s win over Penrith.
Hasler has been in top form keeping everyone guessing about who is going to be his replacement – or even if there will be a replacement, considering Ennis has been named in the starting side.
In any case, potential candidates to fill in for Ennis are rookie playmaker Moses Mbye, Reni Maitua – the only remaining member of Canterbury’s 2004 win – and reserve-grade hooker Damien Cook.
Apart from the No. 9 selection drama, the Bulldogs have named an unchanged lineup from the side that outmuscled the Panthers last week, with flatmates Mbye and Maitua listed on an extended six-man bench.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Greg Inglis, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Dylan Walker, 4. Kirisome Auva’a, 5. Lote Tuqiri, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. George Burgess, 9. Apisai Koroisau (likely), 10. Dave Tyrrell, 11. Ben Te’o, 12. John Sutton, 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14. Jason Clark, 15. Kyle Turner, 16. Chris McQueen, 17. Thomas Burgess, 18. Ben Lowe, 19. Luke Burgess, 20. Bryson Goodwin
Canterbury Bulldogs
1. Sam Perrett, 2. Corey Thompson, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Tim Lafai, 5. Mitch Brown, 6. Josh Reynolds, 7. Trent Hodkinson, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Michael Ennis, 10. James Graham, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Tony Williams, 13. Greg Eastwood
Interchange: 14. Tim Browne, 15. Dale Finucane, 16. David Klemmer, 17. Frank Pritchard, 19. Moses Mbye, 20. Reni Maitua