NRL Round 9 Preview and Prediction - South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly Sea Eagles @ Allianz Stadium

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
 
Preview - The Rabbitohs will be desperate to get back into the winners list when they take on the Sea Eagles at ANZ Stadium on Friday night. The Rabbitohs went down by the narrowest of margins last week when they were defeated 25-24 by the Broncos. Rabbitohs’ Coach Michael Maguire was fuming after the game as he felt like a number of 50-50 calls went against his side in a game they led 24-18. The Sea Eagles got another very impressive road scalp as they knocked over the Raiders in Golden Point 20-18 with a Dylan Walker penalty goal striking the post and bouncing in to cue delirium among the Sea Eagles’ players.
 
History - The Rabbitohs have certainly had the wood on the Sea Eagles of late, winning 5 of the past 7 encounters between the Clubs. Earlier this season, when the sides met at Lottoland in Round 2, the Rabbitohs proved far too strong coming over the top of the Sea Eagles in the final 20 minutes to record a dominant 38-18 victory. Overall the Sea Eagles have the upper hand with 75 victories compared to Souths’ 64. 
 
South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Scouting Report - The Rabbitohs receive a huge boost with Adam Reynolds returning at halfback after he was a late scratching last week due to a hip injury. This means John Sutton shifts into the back row. George Burgess’ nightmare season continues with him having to sit out the next 4 weeks after a shoulder charge against the Broncos. 

Manly Sea Eagles Scouting Report - Trent Barrett is able to name an unchanged line up from the team that did a great job getting a tough win in Canberra. Players who struggled a bit last year in Martin Tapau and Dylan Walker finally appear to be giving the Sea Eagles there moneys worth at the moment. 
 
Verdict - Manly 1-12 in a high scoring game
 
I fancy Manly to get a bit of revenge on Souths here after Souths put a score on them in Round 2. The Sea Eagles road form has been outstanding this season with three big scalps in the Cowboys, Roosters and Raiders. They have already won at Allianz Stadium this season so it won’t faze them playing there. I think this game will be similar to Round 2 in that there will be plenty of points scored from both teams and plenty of ball movement with a quick ruck. I just think Manly have that little bit more class in their side than the Rabbitohs, and if they turn up with the right attitude they can win a close high scoring game here.