NRL 2023: Matty Johns column: Rabbitohs v Roosters, Knights v Dolphins combined teams
Who would make a combined 17 based purely on Rabbitohs and Roosters? MATTY JOHNS takes on the challenge and some big names miss out.
Opinion
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Teddy or Latrell? Damien Cook or Brandon Smith? And who do you leave out of the centres between Campbell Graham, Joseph Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii?
Picking a combined South Sydney Roosters side could be a more difficult task than signing off on a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS V SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Allianz Stadium, 8pm Friday
THE SOUTH SYDNEY ROOSTERS
1 FULLBACK – LATRELL MITCHELL
Straight off the bat, cue the headline. Seriously, how do you split Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco? Tedesco, the light, subtle feet. Mitchell, the power and subtle hands. How do you leave out Tedesco? How do you leave out Mitchell?
In my opinion, Mitchell has begun the season better, he’s threatening and scattering defenders every time he carries possession.
2 & 5 – ALEX JOHNSTON, DANIEL TUPOU
This is simple. Johnston is the Bunnies’ greatest try scorer, and on track to become the NRL’s greatest, full stop. Tupou is a brilliant finisher, a target for attacking kicks, and a strong yardage man.
3 & 4 – JOEY MANU, JOSEPH-AUKUSO SUAALII
Manu is the Golden Boot winner, but in my opinion his threat is reduced in the centres.
In this team, I’d allow him to roam wherever, and whenever he chooses.
Suaalii is a tough call over Campbell Graham. I’m just giving the jersey to him on the strength of his World Cup impact, but it’s a split hair.
6 & 7 – LUKE KEARY, CODY WALKER
Two of the best young halves, and two of the most experienced to choose from. Lachlan Ilias is vastly improved and the rise Sam Walker continues but I’ve gone for Keary in the 7, on big-game experience. His pass to Suaalii last Saturday was as good as I’ve ever seen.
Walker’s the first half picked. Keary/Walker is a wonderful combination, ahead of Ilias and Sam Walker.
8, 10 & 13 – CAMERON MURRAY, LINDSAY COLLINS, TEVITA TATOLA
There’s a case for Victor Radley, but Murray’s speed, and lightning-fast feet, are a primary
weapon. You set your creative playmakers off a Murray run, and fast play the ball. Collins is first front-rower picked. I’ve gone for Tevita Tatola ahead of Thomas Burgess, for his ability to play longer minutes. And ahead of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who’s having his first hit out for 2023, and needs a few games to get back towards his best.
11 & 12 – KEON KOLOAMATANGI, NAT BUTCHER
Koloamatangi continues to grow in stature and presence. Playmakers love back-rowers like him. You can take Koloamatangi to the line, and he’ll happily wear a bruise. Pass to him early, and let him create.
Nat Butcher will do whatever is required, a great selfless, winning attitude.
9 - DAMIEN COOK
My wife’s going to hate me because Mr Cheese is by far her favourite player, but I’ll be surprised if Brandon Smith plays this week, due to his rib injury. That’s my excuse anyway.
Cook has been revitalised, and if you’re going to pick Walker, Murray and Mitchell, you probably need to pick Cookie.
THE VERDICT
It’s a lot more difficult to get a read than on some of the other teams I’ve combined, simply because just about every selection could’ve gone the other way. No better example than Tedesco or Mitchell?
Look, history shows the Roosters want a fast, flowing contest. They want to kick early and look to fatigue Mitchell.
They want more ball in play because it lets their outside backs lead yardage. Souths love set-start football, because they are brilliant at executing pre-planned sequences. Making them more dangerous, is that they now have far more variations.
WHO WINS?
The Roosters always promise themselves that they won’t get dragged into the emotion of the contest … But, they mostly do. Souths thrive on the passion and the chaos.
Roosters have lacked rhythm and continuity in the first two rounds, and I think Souths are in
better touch at the moment.
KNIGHTS V DOLPHINS
McDonald Jones Stadium, 6pm Friday
THE NEWCASTLE DOLPHINS
1 – HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW
I was really impressed by the Knights’ Lachlan Miller last week, but “The Hammer” has been
central to the Dolphins’ great start. Proving an astute buy.
2 & 5 – JAMAYNE ISAAKO, DOMINIC YOUNG
Isaako underachieved at the Broncos, but under Wayne Bennett’s influence, is finally realising his potential.
Young’s rise has been extraordinary. He picked up a double last Sunday, but it was his metre game which was most eye catching.
3 & 4 – DANE GAGAI, BRADMAN BEST
Gagai will be remembered as a true Queensland State of Origin great, and was the best player on the field against the Tigers. Best finally looks rock-hard fit, and set for a defining season, ahead of Euan Aitken and Brenko Lee.
6 & 7 - SEAN O’SULLIVAN, JACKSON HASTINGS
With these two men in the halves, there’s going to be no shortage of composure and direction, with both controlling a half-field.
O’Sullivan can carry through a game plan, better than most playmakers, while Hastings gets the nod, slightly ahead of Isaiya Katoa, on experience and know-how.
8, 10 & 13 – LEO THOMPSON, JESSE BROMWICH, DANIEL SAIFITI
Thompson gets the nod, fractionally ahead of hardworking Gilbert. Thompson has been powerful off the bench for the Knights, and was very good against the Tigers.
Bromwich’s selection needs no explanation, leadership, class and experience. Saifiti is a proven performer at State of Origin level. His raw-boned physique and athleticism, makes him an enormous handful.
11 & 12 – FELISE KAUFUSI, KENNETH BROMWICH
Kaufusi’s start to his Dolphins career has been extraordinary. He was bought to be a leader, and I imagine even Old Man Bennett would be surprised by his impact.
Bromwich is a very, very clever footballer. His contribution to the Storm’s success has been greatly undervalued.
THE VERDICT
The Knights have been absolutely smashed through injury and suspension. So, the makeup of
this side could’ve been quite different.
The Dolphins have it all over the Knights as far as experience.
No Jeremy Marshall-King at hooker puts an extra layer of pressure on Sean O’Sullivan, but the absence of Kalyn Ponga for Newcastle swings the pendulum back the Dolphins way. Knights have the advantage in the outside backs, Gagai, Young and Best are exceptional metre-makers, and need to dominate this area substantially, if Newcastle are to cause an upset.
The Knights need to make this a tough, 80-minute, low scoring, grind.
WHO WINS?
The Knights’ effort last week will see a big crowd pour in, and unlike their first two premiership games, which have been played in front of almost 100 per cent total support, the
Dolphins face a hostile away crowd.
It kills me, but I hate it when paid commentators just pick their team through loyalty, when
their head tells them otherwise.
On the back of an almost unprecedented injury toll, you’d expect the Dolphins … but then again ….
FANTASY WINNER
And who would win between the Newcastle Dolphins v South Sydney Roosters?
The South Sydney Roosters by 20.
Cameron Murray man of the match.
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