Adam Reynolds says South Sydney are the underdogs in clash with Sydney Roosters
SOUTH Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds says that the Sydney Roosters being widely touted as premiers before the season had even begun has the Rabbitohs fired up for an upset.
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SOUTH Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds says that the Sydney Roosters being widely touted as premiers before the season had even begun has the Rabbitohs fired up for an upset.
Reynolds claimed the Roosters were a representative side from fullback to front-row and that the Rabbitohs will be running out in Saturday’s night’s preliminary finals at Allianz Stadium with the aim of “rattling their cage”.
With the off-season addition of superstar halfback Cooper Cronk and fullback James Tedesco, the Roosters were deemed by many pundits close to unbeatable pre-season – much to the annoyance of Reynolds.
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“Everyone has tipped them and said they’re the team to beat and basically handed them the trophy at the start of the year,” Reynolds told The Daily Telegraph.
“Everyone just gave it (the premiership) to them at the start of the year. They have stars all over the field. One to 13 is basically a rep side.
“They lose someone like Latrell (Mitchell, suspension) and they can fill the gap pretty easily.
“For us now, it’s about going out there and rattling their cage. We’re the underdogs, I think.
“They have showed some form of late and they’re probably been the form team of the competition.”
Reynolds, who kicked three field goals against St George Illawarra last weekend to send his side into Saturday night’s preliminary final, strongly denied the Roosters intimidated his Rabbitohs.
“We know our strengths and if we play to them, we believe we can beat any team in the comp,” Reynolds said.
“I thoroughly do believe that. We know what is in front of us and what we need to do. It’s about making sure we do it.
“We will come up with a game plan during the week and try and execute it the best we can on the night.
“Our backs were against the wall the other night (versus St George Illawarra) but we dug deep and came out the other end.
“For us, it’s about preparing well and turning up with the right attitude and making sure we play for 80 minutes.”
The Roosters will start favourites – according to the TAB – in what shapes as the match of the season.
Souths players are aware of the absolute firepower that runs throughout the Roosters side.
“There is full focus on the Roosters, they are minor premiers and are a quality side,” said Souths hooker Damien Cook said. “We are going to have to be really on our game to give ourselves the best chance.”
Rabbitohs prop George Burgess said his team was ready mentally for the battle.
“We are going in with a clear mind,” Burgess said.
A crowd of 42,000 is expected to attend Saturday night’s final NRL match to be hosted at Allianz Stadium.
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