Monday Night NRL preview
By NRL Analyst Scott Woodward:
The only reason why I have not backed South Sydney to win the Premiership is because I do not trust their little halfback Chris Sandow when a big play is required.
He will often get a blood rush and kick on tackle three, or kick out on the fall, or worse, miss a vital tackle that leads to a 12 point swing. He currently leads the NRL by as far as Robin Hood can shoot an arrow for missed tackles, but nothing has changed in 12 months.
Sandow plays behind arguably the best forward pack in the competition who give him excellent go forward and a chance to shine, but more often than not; the big play is left to the immensely talented John Sutton. Sandow and Sutton tonight are up against the world’s best half Jonathan Thurston and even if you are not a footy fan, it is a privilege to watch this master at work. He is clearly the best number 7 since Andrew Johns and will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time.
South Sydney are short priced favourites for tonight’s game but while ever Thurston is on the field with his Cowboys, Russell Crowe and his merry men from South Sydney will not be able to rest easy. I have backed the Maroons to win the State of Origin Series and would have been quiet happy if Thurston was handed a one match suspension for swearing at the ref last week enabling him to rest his troubled shoulders. Instead his legal counsel found a loop hole and he is able to play tonight.
That judicial decision has turned a one sided game into a game that could supply an upset and although Thurston and his Cowboys do not travel very well, it would be a brave man that would count them out.
The presence tonight of Thurston has caused the betting line to be reduced by 50%, he is that good, but Rugby League is a team game and the Rabbitohs are on the rise and should continue their momentum.
While Thurston may be the best player in the world, the Rabbitohs boast English International Sam Burgess, who has claims as the best go forward in the world, his combination on the right edge and big Dave Taylor on the left make South Sydney a formidable opposition for any team, including Jonathan Thurston.
BEST PRICES: Souths $1.44 Nth Q’land $3.0 / Line -6.5 +8.0
Scott Woodward
