TipResumen

CANBERRA RAIDERS

As highlighted in previous weeks the Raiders can become a real problem for sides that aspire to be in the top 4, this was clearly evident last weekend when Canberra toppled the more fancied Roosters in a very tight defensive orientated match, something the Raiders would have done with much earlier in the season. The final result was a shock to most, including myself but Canberra on their day are a very good side, Ricky Stuart just has trouble in bringing that out of them on a weekly basis. 14-12 was a fantastic scoreline for Canberra who have an average conceded PPG of well over 20+ points. Incredibly the Roosters scored 2 tries to one in this match with Canberra slotting 4 penalty goals and the one conversion to gain the 2 point win. Josh Hodgson is a key player for Canberra, he will need to use all his guile to outplay Cook who is certainly a much faster dummy half but he is more than capable of holding his own if the green machine forwards can lay the right platform. Michael Oldfield returns at centre moving Whitehead back to his preferred position in the forwards.



SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Souths are coming off back to back losses against the Roosters and Broncos, the Roosters match was a close one and could have easily gone the other way but in the end the Rabbits went down 14-18. Last week the Broncos turned on a great second half performance and in the end ran away with a 20 point victory 38-18. As a result of these two losses the Rabbits have drifted off top spot, currently sitting third, 1st equal with the Storm and Roosters. As this is the penultimate game of the regular season the Rabbits need a win to ensure their top 4 spot is held and the chasing pack of 3 – Sharks, Panthers and Dragons don’t sneak what is at the moment the Rabbits spot. Greg Inglis returns after an extended period out of the game with a broken thumb. This is a huge boost for the Rabbits who have looked at little bit slow in the past couple of weeks. Fullback Alex Johnston and good young winger Campbell Graham also return, Dane Gagai moves back to centre.



THE BETTING VERDICT

This week the Rabbits are not quite as defensive orientated and the inconsistency that Canberra show should mean a high scoring affair Earlier this season these two sides met in round 7, the Rabbitohs won on that occasion 42- 22. I have a feeling this game will go in a similar way. The Rabbits started fast, scoring three unanswered tries, ultimately winning the first half 4 tries to 2. The second half was much of the same with 5 tries, 3 to 2 for Souths. As much as the Raiders did defend last week well against a side who is also a very good defensive unit, I don’t see them doing this two weeks in a row. So a points bet is got to be a good option here. Current odds have the Rabbits strong favourites $1.57 to $2.45. the Handicap line is 4.5 points and combined point line is 43.5 points. To hit the 44 points required if you go over this would require at least 8 tries assuming most are converted. The Raiders are capable of points being the highest points scorers so far this season, interestingly enough the Rabbits sit second in this category. I do think this game will be quite an open affair as the Rabbits need to win and the Raiders want to end the season with some highlights.