BetEasy Match Preview: Round 25

Author: Dan Talintyre
Timestamp: Wed 29 Aug 2018, 10:01 PM

Wests Tigers will be looking to close out the 2018 in style by claiming another giant scalp this Thursday night when they take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Having already trounced the Bunnies once this season — as they have so many of the top four sides — Ivan Cleary's men will be determined to ensure the progress they've made in 2018 doesn't go unnoticed by capping off their season with a winning record and a victory over the premiership hopeful Rabbitohs.

Not since 2011 have Wests Tigers ended the year with a winning record, but with 12 wins and 11 losses coming in to Thursday night's game, they can end that streak with their 13th win in their season finale.

Should they achieve that, incredibly, they'd be the first side since the 1999 Canberra Raiders to register 13 wins and not make the finals, after wins to the Brisbane Broncos and New Zealand Warriors last weekend confirmed Wests Tigers would fall agonisingly short of the top eight with a ninth-placed finish.

With nothing to lose, as such, and boosted by the mid-week news that both Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall will play on in 2019, Wests Tigers certainly present a tricky opponent for a South Sydney side coming off a disappointing defeat to the Raiders last weekend and a tough run of form overall.

Cleary gives final word on Rabbitohs clash

Since beating the Melbourne Storm back in Round 21 that had many declare the cardinal and myrtle as competition favourites, Anthony Siebold's side have lost their last three games (albeit against tough opposition) and are in danger of missing the top four all together with a loss on Thursday night.

Souths have lost five of their last six games to Wests Tigers, and Ivan Cleary's side will certainly be out to spoil the party once again this week as they look to head in to 2019 with plenty of reasons to be confident.

MATCH DETAILS

Date — Thursday, August 30, 2018

Time — 7:50pm AEST

Venue — ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION

TV — FOX League (Ch.502) and Channel 9

Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 2GB 873, FM 104.9 Triple M Sydney

Live Stream — Foxtel Go, 9Now, NRL Digital Pass, Watch NRL Streaming (exc. Australia)

LATEST BETEASY ODDS

H2H — South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.36), Wests Tigers ($3.25)

Line — South Sydney Rabbitohs -8.5 ($1.92), Wests Tigers +8.5 ($1.92)

Odds correct on Wednesday, August 2 at 12:00pm — 18+ only and gamble responsibly

One More Year?

TEAM LISTS

Round 25 - Round 25 - Thursday 30 Aug

Full Time

Rabbitohs

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Alex Johnston

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Campbell Graham

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Greg Inglis

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Esan Marsters
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Dane Gagai

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Mahe Fonua
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Robert Jennings

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Kevin Naiqama
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall
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 10 Ben Matulino
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 George Burgess

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 17 Josh Aloiai
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 John Sutton

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Chris Lawrence
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Angus Crichton

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Michael Chee Kam
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Sam Burgess

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Elijah Taylor

Interchange

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Hymel Hunt

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 8 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Cameron Murray

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Alex Twal
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Jason Clark

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sauaso Sue
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Dean Britt

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Jacob Liddle

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton

Last updated: 2/9/2022 3:31:01 AM

Josh Aloiai starts at prop in place of Matt Eisenhuth, who drops back to the bench alongside Jacob Liddle, who replaces Robbie Rochow. South Sydney are unchanged and will line up 1-17.