Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs set renew rivalry for the 217th time
OVER 108 years, the score is currently 112 to the Rabbitohs, 99 to the Roosters. And rugby league’s longest rivalry is set for a new chapter on Thursday night.
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FORGET Parramatta and Penrith, Saints against Cronulla or Brisbane versus North Queensland.
“Souths — Roosters … it’s the greatest rivalry in rugby league history,” said Rabbitohs star Greg Inglis. “Nothing will ever change from that. It goes back to 1908.”
And the game’s hottest rivals come together once again at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night.
Over 216 games and 108 years, the Rabbitohs have won 112 matches, the Roosters 99 with five draws.
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The game will bring together a host of superstars in what is the eastern suburbs’ grudge match of the season.
“It’s a great clash and I’m pretty it’s a match both circle at the start of each season,” Inglis told The Daily Telegraph.
“The Ron Coote Cup is up for grabs. He was a great player for our club and the history he has left here has been amazing.
“It’s also (Souths five-eighth) Cody Walker’s 50th NRL match and (Rabbitohs forward) Jason Clark’s 150th. It will be a big occasion for us.”
Inglis said he can feel the tension between each club’s fan base when walking the streets.
“You can feel it each and every week. You walk around the streets and it comes back to bragging rights around the eastern suburbs,’ Inglis said.
Roosters recruit Tedesco has made a strong start to season 2018.
He is already engaged in a titanic battle with Manly’s Tom Trbojevic for the NSW fullback spot.
“’Teddy’ is finding his feet at the Roosters, it’s a new club. It’s what happens,” Inglis said.
“You can’t rule out a player of his calibre. He is exceptional and has been getting the Chooks on the front foot from the back.
“He hasn’t lost any speed. He is still bouncing around and turning up on plays. ‘Teddy’ is one of the danger men for them.
“He is still young and can be around for another ten years if he stays injury free.”
Inglis will also confront ‘Little GI’ — Roosters star Latrell Mitchell — although the two players will be on different sides of the field.
“We have been sending text messages back and forth during the week,’ Inglis said. “It was a little bit of banter.
“But it was more of a catch-up Latrell shows respect — that’s just Latrell.
“The Roosters are tracking along nicely, they got a good win last weekend at Shark Park.
“We are only five rounds in but you can never cross out the Roosters. They are a side that keeps turning up and playing, especially with Cooper (Cronk) and ‘Teddy’ there.
“They have a lot of strike power across the board. They will be coming with confidence. We just have to turn up and be ready for what they throw at us.”
Inglis is slowly generating more involvement in each game after missing the entire 2017 season with a knee injury.
His best is yet to come this season.
“Coming back from an ACL, it’s about getting your confidence back,” Inglis said. “Physically and mentally and then building into the season.’