Preview: Knights v Rabbitohs

VENUE & TIME: Energy Australia Stadium, Sunday 27 July, 2:00pm AEST.
COVERAGE: Fox Sports.
LAST TIME: Rabbitohs 28-25 Knights, at Energy Australia Stadium, Round 16, 2007.

WALKING WOUNDED: The Knights welcome back skipper Danny Buderus, while Ben Cross and Matt Hilder remain on the sidelines through injury. The Bunnies lose Issac Luke for a week through suspension, with George Ndaira coming in at hooker to replace him.

FORM: On the back of five straight wins, everyone was talking up the Rabbitohs finals chances, but they were brought back down to earth last week by a rampant Tigers outfit. The Knights have won just one of their last five matches, but put up a valiant effort last start against the Sharks.

WHO'S HOT: Kurt Gidley is one of the form players of the competition and the Knights full-back was a perfect 2-of-2 with the boot last week against the Sharks. Gidley has scored seven tries this season - tied with Chris Bailey for the most Knights tries - and is extremely dangerous with ball in hand. Issac Luke was the form player for the Bunnies, but he will watch this from the sidelines. Centre Jamie Simpson has been impressive over the past three weeks and has managed four tries from three matches.

WE THINK: A big game for both clubs, with the loser all but ruled out of finals contention. The Knights currently sit three points out of the eight, while the Bunnies are five points adrift. The inclusion of Buderus is a significant one for the Knights and the loss of Luke for the Bunnies is just as important. With the luxury of playing at the confines of their own home ground, we have to favour the Knights. But a win by the visitors would not completely surprise. Knights by eight.

TEAMS:

Knights: 1. Kurt Gidley 2. James McManus 3. Junior Sau 4. Adam MacDougall 5. Cooper Vuna 6. Chris Bailey 7. Jarrod Mullen 8. Daniel Tolar 9. Danny Buderus (C) 10. Matthew White 11. Chris Houston 12. Steve Simpson 13. Zeb Taia
Interchange: 14. Cory Paterson 15. Cameron Ciraldo 16. Richard Fa’aoso 17. Danny Wicks; Reserves: 18. Mark Taufua 19. Akuila Uate 20. Scott Dureau

Rabbitohs:
Rabbitohs: 1. Nathan Merritt 2. Shannon Hegarty 3. Jamie Simpson 4. Beau Champion 5. Fetuli Talanoa 6. Craig Wing 7. Chris Sandow 8. Scott Geddes 9. George Ndaira 10. Roy Asotasi 11. Luke Stuart 12. David Fa'alogo 13. John Sutton
Interchange: 14. Beau Falloon 15. Shannan MacPherson 16. Manase Manukoafoa 17. Michael Greenfield; Reserves: 18. David Kidwell