General Warriors retain winning combination for Souths clash

[EnterFien_old]

Winning form and a good run with injuries has enabled the Vodafone Warriors to take an unchanged line-up into their NRL clash against South Sydney at Telstra Stadium on Sunday.

After wins against the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle, the Ivan Cleary-coached side has its second chance this season to put together three consecutive wins for the first time since the club's run to the 2003 finals.

Earlier in the season it beat Wests Tigers and the Knights in the third and fourth rounds before losing to Manly in search of a third successive victory.

"We have been concentrating on putting together a series of consistent efforts and we've achieved that in our last three matches against Brisbane, the Roosters and now the Knights," said Cleary.

"While the performance against the Broncos didn't give us a win, we were really pleased with the effort. That consistency was translated into wins against the Roosters and the Knights but now we have to maintain that level and keep improving if it's to continue."

Cleary regards the bottom-placed Rabbitohs as dangerous opponents.

"They broke through for their first win of the year against Brisbane two weeks ago and they've been close to success so many other times this season," he said.

"We have to aim to be at our best if we're to be in with a chance against them. It's the same every week no matter who you're playing."

Cleary has named exactly the same 17 used against Newcastle, meaning the same backline is in place for the third match running.

The Vodafone Warriors are seeking to complete their third home-and-away double of the year when they take on South Sydney, having won the first encounter 46-14 at Ericsson Stadium. Last Sunday they achieved back-to-back successes against Newcastle after doing the same previously to Wests Tigers.

In 15 previous encounters against South Sydney, the Vodafone Warriors have won 12 and lost only three.

Sunday's game edges standoff Jerome Ropati (21) and back rower Louis Anderson (20) closer to their 50th first-grade appearances when they both take their tallies to 48.

The 100-game mark is looming for fullback Brent Webb (25) and loose forward Sione Faumuina (25), Webb playing his 96th NRL match on Sunday and Faumuina his 95th.
Last Sunday captain Steve Price marked his 250th game with his 25th try to take him to 100 first-grade points.

And the five tries scored by the Vodafone Warriors lifted their overall tally to 53 tries so far this season.

Gavin Badger has been appointed referee for the South Sydney encounter. He has already been in charge three times against the Vodafone Warriors this year. Opposition teams Canberra, the Bulldogs and St George Illawarra won in all three cases.

VODAFONE WARRIORS vs SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Telstra Stadium, Sydney
3.00pm (AEST), Sunday, June 25, 2006
Referee: Gavin Badger

1 Brent Webb
2 Patrick Ah Van
3 Tony Martin
4 Simon Mannering
5 Manu Vatuvei
6 Jerome Ropati
7 Grant Rovelli
8 Ruben Wiki (vc)
9 Nathan Fien
10 Steve Price (c)
11 Awen Guttenbeil
12 Louis Anderson
13 Sione Faumuina

Subs:
14 Lance Hohaia
15 Evarn Tuimavave
16 Wairangi Koopu
17 Micheal Luck

Source: www.warriors.co.nz

 

[Jesbass_old]

In 15 previous encounters against South Sydney, the Vodafone Warriors have won 12 and lost only three.

That statistic surprises me. THat's an 80% winning rate over the Rabbitohs, a team we generall struggle against, (according to my previous misconceptions), and tend to lose to. Interesting.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

Don't change if it ain't broke!
GO the Warriors!

 

[warriorfaithful*_old]

Don't change if it ain't broke!
GO the Warriors!

Exactly partner!!!!! We are heading for three in a row baby!!!!

 

[-Dr.J-_old]

In 15 previous encounters against South Sydney, the Vodafone Warriors have won 12 and lost only three.

That statistic surprises me. THat's an 80% winning rate over the Rabbitohs, a team we generall struggle against, (according to my previous misconceptions), and tend to lose to. Interesting.

Yer dreaming buddy

We usually pound them like a $2 hooker

 

[warriorfaithful*_old]

In 15 previous encounters against South Sydney, the Vodafone Warriors have won 12 and lost only three.

That statistic surprises me. THat's an 80% winning rate over the Rabbitohs, a team we generall struggle against, (according to my previous misconceptions), and tend to lose to. Interesting.

Yer dreaming buddy

We usually pound them like a $2 hooker

Lol. Thats funny Dr.J!!!!!!

 

[sebastian_old]

This is what its like to have a winning team, geez it gets hard to remember. Just put da widdle wabbits out of their misery. The've lost nathen merrit & mad dog, their best players, however watch out the peach. Do not underestimate david peachy, hes not loser & will not go down without a fight.

 

[Tyrael_old]

The bunnies have some decent players and they actually won a game 2 weeks ago. They have some big forwards (Joe Galvane (spelt wrong i know))

glad kidwell isn't on their team until next season

but we should pound them like the bunnies they are!

 

[Jesbass_old]

In 15 previous encounters against South Sydney, the Vodafone Warriors have won 12 and lost only three.

That statistic surprises me. THat's an 80% winning rate over the Rabbitohs, a team we generall struggle against, (according to my previous misconceptions), and tend to lose to. Interesting.

Yer dreaming buddy

We usually pound them like a $2 hooker

I'll take your word for it, Dr J. I'd never pay that much for a hooker.

 

[warriors4life_old]

Of course, Micheal Luck and Awen will swap places just before the start.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

Lets deal with the waskely wabbits!