The third and final match on NRL Super Saturday will see the Rabbitohs do battle with the Cowboys. We bring you our preview and best bets for the match here!
Also, be sure to check out our NRL Tips page to find our best bets for each and every NRL fixture in the 2022 season!
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North Queensland Cowboys
Accor Stadium, Saturday 27th August, 7:35pm (AEST)
There is a lot on the line for both sides and the outcome also impacts other teams in the Top 8. The Rabbitohs come into this game following an upset 26-22 loss to an understrength Panthers team. Many fancied the Rabbitohs to turn in an impressive performance and continue their recent run of exciting form, but it was anything but easy. The Panthers had a point to prove after being kept to nil by the Storm in Round 22 and performed accordingly. The ill-disciplined execution of the Rabbitohs from earlier in the year returned as they completed at just 72%, missed 30 tackles and committed 13 total errors. Even with double the amount of line breaks (8 vs 4), the Rabbitohs couldn’t find the winning try. Perhaps that will be a positive for this team as it dampens their hype and refocuses them moving forward.
The Cowboys kept their standing at second on the competition ladder with an exciting 48-4 win over the Warriors. The Cowboys grinded out a strong first half (18-4 HT lead) and kicked clear in the second half with momentum generated through the middle. It was needed too after their 32-18 loss to the Roosters in Round 22. The manner in which they won adds hope to their chances moving forward; they averaged over 10m per carry and 9 line breaks while only allowing just 1. Furthermore, their defensive structure was back as they missed just 21 tackles. Now, they need to overcome the challenge of traveling south for the third time in 5 weeks and winning against another Top 8 team.
Squads
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Aarow 13. Cameron Murray Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Siliva Havili 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Blake Taaffe
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo Interchange: 14. Tom Gilbert 15. Coen Hess 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Griffin Neame 18. Brendan Elliot
Match Prediction
The Rabbitohs are listed as favourites ($1.48 vs $2.65), with the complexion of this game changing shape when Dearden was ruled out of the Cowboys team. The stability and support he offers this team (especially Townsend) will be missed. They are still a capable outfit but with more to gain for the Rabbitohs from a win, we should see their best. The other factors to consider is that the Cowboys have only travelled down to Sydney 4 times this year and have a 50% record. Furthermore, they have a 42% winning record at this ground compared to the Rabbitohs 58%. Being a different team to previous seasons, the Cowboys are capable of performing well, but providing they can reduce their mistakes and play with poise and discipline, the Rabbitohs should win this game. The momentum they generate through the middle is key; players like Walker, Mitchell and Cook will benefit greatly from this and they are large contributors to the success of their team. If the Cowboys can stop this, then it will go a long way to allowing them to cause an upset. It will be far closer than most are expecting. Even with the Rabbitohs ability to score points, they can just as easily concede them. For this reason, expect a high scoring match and couple this with the expected result, to increase the value of the Suggested Bet.
Prop: Mitchell, Johnston & Thompson to Score @ $5 – 1 Unit
Rabbitohs to win/Total Points Over 50.5
$2.80 (2.5 Units)
