Match Preview: Round 3 vs. Rabbitohs

Wests Tigers will look to create Club history when they take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs this Sunday by making it three wins in a row to start the season.

Having started the year with back-to-back wins over the Titans and Dragons, Jason Taylor’s side come into this week’s match against the defending premiers with plenty of confidence — something which they’ll definitely need against a side that’s won the NRL premiership, World Cup Challenge and Auckland Nines in the last six months.

Michael Maguire’s men have started the year in similarly impression fashion, with strong wins over the Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters so far. They’ll be looking to consolidate their spot in the competition’s top four this weekend when they take on Wests Tigers — a match they lost in this corresponding fixture last year, 25-16.

It’s shaping as a blockbuster Sunday afternoon clash between two undefeated teams so far in 2015, but who will walk away with the two competition points?

Read on for a full match preview including all the latest team news, statistics, analysis, viewing information, coaching comments and much more!

It's not too late! Become a Member and get entry to seven games at ANZ Stadium this year for just $65! Click here to sign up!

Match Details

Date — Sunday, March 22, 2015

Time — 4:00pm (Gates Open at 1:40pm)

Venue — ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

TV, Live Stream and Radio Information

TV —Channel 9 (check local guides)

Radio — Triple M Sydney (check local guides)

Live Stream — NRL Digital Pass (subscription required)

Tickets and Membership

For as little as $65, you can catch seven games at ANZ Stadium this year including some of the biggest Wests Tigers matches against the Rabbitohs, Bulldogs, Roosters and more! Click here to secure your seat to Sunday’s clash and many more with a membership.

Tickets are available via Ticketek, with General Admission starting at $25 (click here).

Confirmed Squads

Wests Tigers have named a near identical side to the one that played the Dragons, with Matthew Lodge (suspension) called back into the side. Rookie forward Lamar Liolevave has been named on an extended five-man bench, which the starting 13 remains unchanged from their Round 2 win. The Rabbitohs too have named the same 17 that defeated the Roosters in Round 2, but will be expecting some changes on Game Day with John Sutton (jaw) ruled out during the week. New recruits Tim Grant and Darryl Millard have been included on a seven-man bench for the defending premiers.

2015 Recent Results

Wests Tigers

R1 — Wests Tigers 19 def. Gold Coast Titans 18

R2 — Wests Tigers 22 def. St. George-Illawarra Dragons 4

South Sydney Rabbitohs

R1 — South Sydney Rabbitohs 36 def. Brisbane Broncos 6

R2 — South Sydney Rabbitohs 34 def. Sydney Roosters 26

Match History

·       Against South Sydney Rabbitohs — Played 26, Won 10, Lost 14, Drawn 2

·       At ANZ Stadium — Played 9, Won 4, Lost 5

Coach’s Comment

“I think we just want to concentrate on our own game; we’ve got some improvements we need to make. Defensively, we need to go up another level and we probably need to be more ruthless in our attack too, so I think we’re just focused on ourselves.

"Playing the premiers is an exciting time for the boys and a good chance to challenge themselves, so we’re looking forward to it on Sunday…” (David Kidwell, NRL Assistant Coach)

Three Key Facts

• Wests Tigers have never started a season with three consecutive victories
• Souths have not lost a game of rugby league in all competitions for 199 days.
• Robbie Farah has scored more tries against Souths than any other team.

2015 Key Player Stats