NRL Rugby - Rabbitohs v Raiders

1 June 2009

Preview By Tipster Jumbo (New Zealand)

The Bunnies had that game last week and let the Eels off the hook while the Raiders had no worries in dispatching the Warriors�both sides have influential players missing this weekend and this game could become a real slug fest with the winner being hard to pick�

The Bunnies are missing Sutton,Wing and Crocker for this game with the last two in camp for Origin and that takes a lot out of this Bunnies side and leaves them with a great looking forward pack but only one play maker really in Sandow who has not lived up to his billing all season long,the Bunnies were on a wave earlier in the season but over the last few weeks have really gone missing in action,last week they should of held on for the win against the Eels but it was noticeable that the Bunnies were tired and just could�nt mount a challenge at all in the last 15 mins and in Golden Point with the Eels having all the running by then,in all I think the Bunnies were very lucky to get away with a draw and deserved to lose really in that game rather than earn a point.

The Raiders are missing Campese this weekend thanks to Origin duty but they are not without their chances here today as last week was by far their best offensive effort of the season in dispatching the Warriors 38-12, The Raiders were always going to play well in that game after the hiding they received at the hands of the Storm the week before and so they did but they really did get good efforts from all the players who needed to stand up and with that result the Raider could kick on here and win a few games,they were fluent in attack and their defence finally aimed up and made them look respectable,the Raiders do have a very exciting side who have a record of struggling on the road but I think a match up against a Bunnies side missing some crucial players that they could be in here should luck fall their way again.

The Raiders have won 7 of the last 9 against the Bunnies and are the only side who away from home the Raiders have a strong record against,they have won 2 of 3 at Homebush against the Bunnies and have won 4 of their last 5 away games against this Bunnies side.

The Bunnies have a strong forward pack and good back line but not much else and in the brains department they are really short,the Raiders are missing their set up man but do have a great forward pack and decent backs both on the ground and in the air,the way the Bunnies really struggled last week in the final stages of that game has me thinking that the Raiders can get over the top of them and if they hold a lead or are in front come the final 10 mins that the Raiders will finish the stronger and I�ll go with them to upset the Bunnies on Monday Night Football�Good Luck.