Neds Match Preview: Round 6

Author: Michael Blok
Timestamp: Fri 16 Apr 2021, 05:38 PM

Wests Tigers will be looking for an improved performance when they return to Stadium Australia to face the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their Round 6 clash on Saturday evening.

Coach Michael Maguire has called upon his Wests Tigers players to step up against the Rabbitohs — who have won four-straight games to sit third on the ladder following five rounds.

Although the home side will enter the game as red-hot favourites, Wests Tigers will be ready for the challenge as they look to bounce back from last Sunday’s loss to the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval.

The match presents a number of individual storylines with a handful of people facing their former club on Saturday — including coach Maguire — who led the Rabbitohs to premiership glory in 2014.

All eyes will be on Wests Tigers centre James Roberts — who will come up against the Rabbitohs for the first time since departing the club last season. The representative centre is yet to score a try in 2021 and will be eyeing off a big game against his former club.

Former Bunny Adam Doueihi will also face his previous team — and although he’s battled South Sydney twice since departing Redfern at the end of 2019 — it will be the first time he wears number six on his back against the Rabbitohs.

Doueihi was impressive during last week's second-half resurgence as he assisted two tries — and will be looking for more improvement this time around.

There will also be a lot of the media attention on Wests Tigers premiership-winner and South Sydney recruit Benji Marshall — who will face his Maguire’s men for the first time since his departure from the club last year.

ALL THE LATEST TEAM NEWS

Rabbitohs: Cody Walker returns from suspension to reclaim the No.6 jumper, pushing Benji Marshal back to the bench. Liam Knight returns from concussion to join the bench, with Patrick Mago dropping back to the reserves.

Wests Tigers: Unchanged from the side originally named during the week. Jake Simpkin will make his first-grade debut at hooker, while Stefano Utoikamanu moves into the starting side in place of Zane Musgrove. Joey Leilua (concussion) is out and is replaced in the side by AJ Kepaoa.

Round 6 - Round 6 - Saturday 17 Apr

Full Time

Rabbitohs

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 James Roberts
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Josh Mansour

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy Talau
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Forwards

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Thomas Burgess

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James Tamou
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake Simpkin
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Tevita Tatola

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Stefano Utoikamanu
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jacob Host

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Joe Ofahengaue
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jaydn Su'a

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Interchange

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Benji Marshall

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Moses Mbye
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark Nicholls

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Luke Garner
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jai Arrow

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Thomas Mikaele
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Liam Knight

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Zane Musgrove