NRL Round 8 Preview and Prediction - South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos @ ANZ Stadium

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - The Broncos are aiming for a 3rd straight win as they travel down to Sydney to take on the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on Friday night. The Broncos got out of jail against the Titans last week 26-22, with a 78th minute charge down try to James Roberts clutching victory from the jaws of defeat. The Rabbits led the Bulldogs 9-8 after 60 minutes, before capitulating in the final 20 minutes to a 24-9 loss that dropped them to 3-4 on the season and on the outside of the Top 8 looking in. 
 
History - The Broncos have had the Rabbitohs’ number of late, having beaten them convincingly on the last 3 occasions. Last year, the Broncos won both games with an average winning margin of 21 points in those 2 games. However, the Rabbitohs haven't met the Broncos at ANZ since 2014, their Premiership winning season, where they ran out convincing 42-16 winners. Overall, the Broncos have won 24 games with 1 draw and just 9 losses against the Rabbitohs. 
 
South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Preview - The Rabbitohs are unchanged and will be relieved that Sam Burgess managed to get off at the NRL judiciary on his shoulder charge. Hymel Hunt is named on an extended bench and could be a late inclusion here after a few weeks out with suspension. 
 
Brisbane Broncos’ Scouting Report - The Broncos have lost Tevita Pangai Junior for 8-12 weeks with a serious hand injury. Replacing Pangai Junior is Joe Ofahengaue who comes on to the bench. James Roberts has been in electrifying form in the past few games and his combination of strength and speed will prove a real handful for the Rabbitohs out wide. 
 
Verdict - Broncos 1-10 in a low scoring game

I think the Broncos can get another win, however I don't think it will be pretty or clear cut. They were far from convincing last week without Ben Hunt against the Titans and have already lost at ANZ Stadium this year to the Bulldogs. The Rabbitohs have been competitive in all their losses this season and will fancy their chances against a Broncos’ team that scraped over the line against the Titans at home last week. The Rabbitohs have really struggled in attack in 3 of the past 4 games when they have been hard-up to pass 10 points, and against a Broncos’ defence renowned for being hard to break down, I see this being a tight low scoring encounter.