True Blue Greg Alexander has warned Manly Warringah Sea Eagles to be on guard for another South Sydney Rabbitohs ambush when the two sides meet in a Preliminary Final at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Alexander told Behind Blue Eyes for NSWRL that the Rabbitohs were more than capable of producing another staunch defensive effort similar to the performance that saw them upset Penrith Panthers in the opening week of the finals.
“South Sydney did a job on Penrith that I didn’t think was in the Bunnies,” Alexander said.
“That defensive performance from Souths was the best they’ve put in this year.
“They put a lot of pressure on the Penrith playmakers, on the Penrith attack, because of the quick-moving defensive line of South Sydney. Have they got that in them again? I think they can.
“(Coach Wayne) Bennett played a huge part in getting the South Sydney side ready for Penrith a fortnight ago… he knows how to get a side up – we’ve seen it in Origin.”
Alexander also said Sea Eagles back rowers Josh Schuster and Haumole Olakau’atu needed to be wary against Souths forwards Jaydn Su’a and Keaon Koloamatangi.
“Jaydn Su’A had been out of favour for the back-end of the career and of course is moving on but he was strong on the edge as was Koloamatangi,” he said.
“There was a lot of unheralded players who were very good for them against Penrith a fortnight ago.
“Their front row of Tom Burgess and Tevita Tatola ran for 350 metres between them. It was incredible and they won that battle in the middle,” Alexander said.
“Throw in Cameron Murray, whose defence was just outstanding. He’s had a great year Cameron.”
