I was just looking at the possible teams for the day and there's some definite advantages for us through the centres, Matai and Lyon v Goodwin and Farrell.
I think the rabbits may try and offer assistance to Farrell and Goodwin to restrict Lyon and Matai, which could open up some space just inside or outside them, so the Wolf and Jorge or Snake and Watmough/Horo could take advantage of it. Then again, a nice inside pass to Foran, with Snake as a foil on the outside, may also prove costly for the rabbits.
In the forwards it's just going to be an arm wrestle and on paper, there's not much between the sides. The rabbits probably have some slightly more creative players in Luke, Burgess (Sam) and Te'o compared to our forwards (if you exclude Gift), who tend to have more strength up the middle for metres on their own. I think the rabbits forwards mentioned are more likely to look for an offload, which is good when it works, but also leads to mistakes, whereas we tend to take the less mistake options.
The kicking game will definitely be vital in this match and Jorge and Wolf will have to be very conscious of the 40:20 after last weekend's rep game, with Reynolds two 40:20's.
Apart from maybe one or two kicks under pressure, Reynolds kicking game was superb, so maybe 2V will use one nominated forward to hound him (or Foran) and put pressure on the kick. I'm sure they'll try and do the same with DCE, probably through Luke or Crocker.
The rabbits can lack discipline and don't hold their line all the time, which could lead to gaps for Choc and a (Oh F..k no!) flick/pass/toss as he bounces across the field, inside or outside, that may just work!
Flanagan obviously worked out during half time that up the middle, Manly is basically a no go zone for points, but out wide there are more chances, albeit only 2 tries (apart from the catch and run from a kick), so I expect Jorge will be targeted by Reynolds but more so the Wolf, as it's Inglis' preferred side and Merritt will be there as well.
DCE and Foran's kicking game is going to have to be right on the money, as is the kick chase to limit Inglis and his wingers' room. If you negate Inglis space, he becomes less of a threat, but it is also tinged with danger, as he is a marvel at getting his hands free to offload to his support, you need players also inside and outside, almost a complete line.
I'm not totally sure where we will win it, but I favour more Lyon and Matai's dominance over their opposing centres than anywhere else.
I think the rabbits may try and offer assistance to Farrell and Goodwin to restrict Lyon and Matai, which could open up some space just inside or outside them, so the Wolf and Jorge or Snake and Watmough/Horo could take advantage of it. Then again, a nice inside pass to Foran, with Snake as a foil on the outside, may also prove costly for the rabbits.
In the forwards it's just going to be an arm wrestle and on paper, there's not much between the sides. The rabbits probably have some slightly more creative players in Luke, Burgess (Sam) and Te'o compared to our forwards (if you exclude Gift), who tend to have more strength up the middle for metres on their own. I think the rabbits forwards mentioned are more likely to look for an offload, which is good when it works, but also leads to mistakes, whereas we tend to take the less mistake options.
The kicking game will definitely be vital in this match and Jorge and Wolf will have to be very conscious of the 40:20 after last weekend's rep game, with Reynolds two 40:20's.
Apart from maybe one or two kicks under pressure, Reynolds kicking game was superb, so maybe 2V will use one nominated forward to hound him (or Foran) and put pressure on the kick. I'm sure they'll try and do the same with DCE, probably through Luke or Crocker.
The rabbits can lack discipline and don't hold their line all the time, which could lead to gaps for Choc and a (Oh F..k no!) flick/pass/toss as he bounces across the field, inside or outside, that may just work!
Flanagan obviously worked out during half time that up the middle, Manly is basically a no go zone for points, but out wide there are more chances, albeit only 2 tries (apart from the catch and run from a kick), so I expect Jorge will be targeted by Reynolds but more so the Wolf, as it's Inglis' preferred side and Merritt will be there as well.
DCE and Foran's kicking game is going to have to be right on the money, as is the kick chase to limit Inglis and his wingers' room. If you negate Inglis space, he becomes less of a threat, but it is also tinged with danger, as he is a marvel at getting his hands free to offload to his support, you need players also inside and outside, almost a complete line.
I'm not totally sure where we will win it, but I favour more Lyon and Matai's dominance over their opposing centres than anywhere else.
