Round 10
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm
Friday 16 May, 7:40pm
ANZ Stadium
Broadcast:
TV: Channel GEM, LIVE from 7:40pm
Online: NRL Digital Pass
Radio: 2GB, ABC
Melbourne Storm travel to ANZ Stadium on Friday night as they take on fifth placed South Sydney Rabbitohs in the inaugural Crown Resorts Charity Challenge.
Both sides are coming off strong performances in Round 9, with Storm providing its fans with another thrilling win for the season against the Sea Eagles at AAMI Park and the Rabbitohs recording a 22-point win over the Titans.
In Round 9, Craig Bellamy’s men displayed the fight and character required to beat one of the best teams in the competition. First-grade debutant Kurt Mann sealed the 22-19 victory as he latched onto a precise Cooper Cronk kick in the dying stages of the game in what was a thrilling night for Storm. Melbourne will be hoping to carry the momentum into to Friday night's match-up against an in-form Rabbitohs outfit.
Be at AAMI Park in Round 13 when Storm take on the Roosters. Book tickets.
South Sydney currently in fifth position on the ladder and share equal points with Melbourne who sit eighth and will need to put on a big performance this Friday night to gain some breathing room in a tight and congested competition. Rabbitohs Coach Michael Maguire believed it was the teams’ collective effort that put them ahead of the Titans last week. On the scoreboard, it was Souths junior Dylan Walker who was the difference, scoring four tries in front of 19,107 fans at CBUS Super Stadium.
The match faces up to be a tough encounter and both sides defence will be thoroughly tested. Storm will need to keep a close eye on the returning Greg Inglis who will be at his best against his former club, whilst the Rabbitohs must find a way to stop the craft of Cooper Cronk's kicking game.
History favours Storm, recording 19 victories out of a possible 24 games, which is a difficult statistic to overlook. The Rabbitohs will be counting on a reinvigorated squad to do the business at ANZ Stadium, which features the dangerous Burgess brothers and in-form halfback Adam Reynolds.
Storm will play against the Rabbitohs for the Crown Resorts OCRF Charity Challenge on Friday night. Information here.
In a year that has produced many milestones for Melbourne Storm players, coach Craig Bellamy reaches a milestone of his own this weekend. Bellamy will reach 300 NRL first-grade games as coach of Melbourne Storm, in what has been a stellar career at the club. Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Ryan Hoffman will take the field on Friday night with a combined total of 1000 games experience. This is something that has never been achieved before.
Cameron Smith and fullback Billy Slater will play in the Round 10 clash, accepting early guilty pleas after the match review committees weekend findings. However, playmaker Ben Hampton has been charged for a dangerous throw and has been offered two weeks on the sidelines.
Craig Bellamy has made just one change to his team which took on the Sea Eagles last weekend. With Hampton out due to suspension, Joel Romelo has been selected to line-up in the number six jersey.
Michael Maguire has named the same side that defeated the Titans in Round 9, only adding Joel Reddy and Ben Lowe to an extended bench.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referees – Gerard Sutton and Gavin Reynolds
Sideline Officials – Nick Beashel and Jason Walsh
Video Referees – Steve Chiddy and Luke Patten
HEAD TO HEAD:
Played: 24
Melbourne: 19
South Sydney: 4
Draw: 1
PLAYER MATCH-UP:
Ryan Hinchcliffe v Sam Burgess
Both Ryan Hinchcliffe and Sam Burgess have made consistent starts to the 2014 campaign.
Hinchcliffe has been a solid contributor for Storm this season and his senior role in the lineup will continue to increase as the Origin period approaches. The 29-year old carries the experience required for big games, this week against the Rabbitohs is no different.
Burgess, a strong, quick and mobile forward always provides an attacking threat for the Rabbitohs and has recorded three tries so far this season. In last weekend's match against the Titans, Burgess put on a lively performance, finishing the game with 21 tackles and 13 runs.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
Qualifying Final, 2013 – South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 (Dylan Farrell, Jeff Lima, Issac Luke; Goals: Adam Reynolds 4) defeated Melbourne Storm 10 (Will Chambers, Billy Slater; Goals: Cameron Smith)
LAST 5 MATCHES:
Qualifying Final, 2013 – South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 (Dylan Farrell, Jeff Lima, Issac Luke; Goals: Adam Reynolds 4) defeated Melbourne Storm 10 (Will Chambers, Billy Slater; Goals: Cameron Smith)
Round 22, 2013 – Melbourne Storm 26 (Jesse Bromwich, Will Chambers, Justin O’Neill, Sisa Waqa; Goals: Cameron Smith 5) defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 8 (Ben Te’o; Goals: Adam Reynolds)
Round 6, 2013 – Melbourne Storm 17 (Billy Slater, Mahe Fonua, Kevin Proctor, Gareth Widdop; Goals: Cameron Smith 2, Cooper Cronk) defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 (Andrew Everingham, Greg Inglis; Goals: Adam Reynolds)
Qualifying Final, 2012 – Melbourne Storm 24 (Mahe Fonua, Ryan Hoffman, Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa; Goals: Cameron Smith 4) defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 6 (Eddy Pettybourne; Goals: Adam Reynolds)
Round 2, 2012 – Melbourne Storm 24 (Dane Nielsen 2, Billy Slater 2, Matt Duffie; Goals: Cameron Smith 2) defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 (Sam Burgess, Chris McQueen; Goals: Adam Reynolds)
