The GRL Phantom returns from a one week suspension for a dangerous high-tackle on a chair after getting too excited during a Dragons game.
The GRL Phantom returns from a one week suspension for a dangerous high-tackle on a chair after getting too excited during a Dragons game.
North Queensland V South Sydney
Saturday June 29th, 7:30pm
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Referee: Tony De Las Heras
Both teams were heralded as final eight propositions at the start of the year but they won't make it. The rest of the season will be used as preparation for 2009.
Craig Wing is back for the Rabbits after 15 weeks on the sidelines from an injury picked up in the opening game against the Roosters.
Wing was brought to Souths to play in the halves - either at number six or seven.
John Sutton reverts to lock for Wing's return and the promising, yet raw Chris Sandow stays as half.
I like the Rabbits in this one.
They have been a mixed bag this year. Some weeks they looked pedestrian and over-coached and too structured.
I think coach Jason Taylor has found the right formula - a simple and straight forward pattern for his players to adhere too before letting the natural ball playing skills of John Suttton on the edges of the field takeover.
The forwards are playing straighter in attack which has helped Sutton have the room to aim his runners at back-pedalling defences or decide when to run himself.
Jamie Simpson on the left side of the field in the centres is a winning selection too.
Roy Asotasi is playing better because he is now picking his time when and where to run in the rucks.
The Cowboys have been stricken with coaching dramas,
Graham Murray was shown the door and left a month ago while caretaker coach Ian Millaward is Canberra-bound to mentor their new coach David Furner next year.
His work for the remainder of the year will help lay the platform for Canberra coach Neil Henry who is coming to the Cowboys to take over.
There is no Jonathan Thurston this week because of Queensland State of Origin duty, and of course Matt Bowen, who is out for the year with a knee injury, robbing the Cowboys of their famous attacking power.
Verdict: Souths by seven.
COWBOYS
1. Anthony Watts, 2. Mark Henry, 3. Ashley Graham, 4. Ben Harris, 5. John Williams, 6. Sione Faumuina, 7. Chris Sheppard, 8. Ray Cashmere, 9. Aaron Payne, 10. Carl Webb, 11. Nick Slyney, 12. Scott Bolton, 13. Steven Southern. Reserves: 14. Brandon Boor, 15. Ben Vaeau, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Shane Tronc Coach: Ian Millward
RABBITOHS:
1. Luke Capewell, 2. Nathan Merritt, 3. Jamie Simpson, 4. Beau Champion, 5. Fetuli Talanoa, 6. Craig Wing, 7. Chris Sandow, 8. Scott Geddes, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Roy Asotasi, 11. Luke Stuart, 12. David Fa'alogo, 13. John Sutton Reserves: 14. George Ndaira, 15. Shannan McPherson, 16. David Kidwell, 17. Manase Manuokafoa, 18. Ben Lowe, 19. Shannon Hegarty, 20. Michael Greenfield. (3 to be omitted). Coach:
Canberra V Cronulla
Monday June 30th, 7:00pm
Canberra Stadium
Referee: Sean Hampstead
Canberra have won two on the trot and broke their duck winning away from home against the Bulldogs last Saturday at Homebush.
In the past two weeks, Neil Henry’s foot soldiers have racked up 92-points against under-strength NRL outfits. Could they do it again to the Origin depleted Sharks?
Should they continue to play to their potential, I feel the Raiders can make the top four in 2009
The team they are playing on Monday night in the nation's capital, the Sharks, are my tip win the 2009 premiership when Trent Barrett and Anthony Tupou arrive.
The Raiders are fast, well coached, very skilled in all facets with so many options, use clever ruck plays well while deploying some terrific decoy runners.
The Sharks are a methodical, physical, superbly drilled, well coached, extremely fit team who will be missing injured lock-forward Greg Bird and ironman, Paul Gallen.
To their credit, the Sharks attack is improving and in recent weeks has shown signs of delivering with
more tries.
The visitors have won four straight and they attacked well against the Titans and Penrith, scoring plenty of points for a change.
I like the Sharks to get home in a chiller thriller at Canberra Stadium on Monday night.
It will be the steel and resolve of the Sharks to prevail over the Raiders' licence to thrill and skill.
Verdict: Sharks by four.
RAIDERS
1. David Milne, 2. Justin Carney, 3. Colin Best, 4. Brett Kelly, 5. Bronx Goodwin, 6. Terry Campese, 7. Todd Carney, 8. Troy Thompson, 9. Glen Buttriss, 10. Dane Tilse, 11. Glen Turner, 12. Joe Picker, 13. Alan Tongue. Reserves: 14. Josh Miller, 15. Ryan Hinchcliffe, 16. Trevor Thurling, 17. Michael Weyman, 18. Ben Jones. (1 to be omitted). Coach: Neil Henry
SHARKS
1. Mitch Brown, 2. Misi Taulapapa, 3. Ben Pomeroy, 4. David Simmons, 5. Luke Covell, 6. Brett Seymour, 7. Brett Kimmorley, 8. Ben Ross, 9. Isaac De Gois, 10. Danny Nutley, 11. Luke Douglas, 12. Fraser Anderson, 13. Blake Green Reserves: 14. Paul Stephenson, 15. Kade Snowden, 16. Bryan Norrie, 17. Terence Seu Seu, 18. Grant Millington. (1 to be omitted) Coach: Ricky Stuart
