Central Coast Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 8 NRL game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Sea Eagles. The game kicks off at 7:55 pm with South Sydney Rabbitohs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Manly Sea Eagles game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday April 29, 2022 at 7:55 pm
Where: Central Coast Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles Odds
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles Preview
South Sydney was dealt a tough draw to start the season but started to get into a groove with comfortable wins over lesser lights St George Illawarra and Canterbury. Then the 3-4 Rabbitohs became the second-high profile team in six days to have their pants pulled down in the dying seconds by the Tigers.
It was a clunky performance overall from Souths in a 23-22 loss, with Cody Walker needing to take responsibility for the team’s direction alongside a young halfback and fullback. Keaon Koloamatangi has been outstanding but the Bunnies’ middle forwards were outpointed last week.
A second-half rally saved Manly from a massive psychological blow at Cronulla last Thursday, but there will still be scars from the first-half massacre in a 34-22 defeat that ended a handy four-match winning streak.
Souths have lost Taane Milne to suspension, with rookie Isaiah Tass coming in at centre. Siliva Havili joins the bench for the injured Jacob Host. Tolutau Koula replaces Talakai Express victim Morgan Harper in the centres.
Haumole Olakau’atu (suspension) and Taniela Paseka (injury) are big outs for Manly but the pack is bolstered by Martin Taupau and Sean Keppie.
Souths are on a five-match winning streak against Manly, averaging 34.6 points in the process. The Rabbitohs prevailed 26-12 at Brookvale in Round 2 last year and swamped the Sea Eagles 36-16 in the prelim final.
Both sides a down a notch or two on the top-four highs of 2021. The Rabbitohs are early favourites but the leadership and poise of Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran is set to prove the difference in this one.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Manly Sea Eagles to win at $2.35 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Christian Tuipulotu at $11.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles Teams
Rabbitohs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Hame Sele 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Knight 18. Trent Peoples 19. Jaxson Paulo 20. Richard Kennar 21. Dean Hawkins 22. Peter Mamouzelos 23. Josiah Karapani 24. Shaq Mitchell
Sea Eagles team: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Sean Keppie 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Karl Lawton 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Kurt De Luis 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Morgan Harper 19. Jorge Taufua 20. James Roumanos 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Josh Schuster 23. Kaeo Weekes 24. Jacob Sykes