Roosters v Rabbitohs NRL Rd 3 betting tips – Friday, March 17

Friday night NRL action wraps up in Sydney with the local derby between the Roosters and Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium.

Fans across the league will struggle to forget the spectacle when these two sides last met, in week one of the 2022 NRL finals series. There were seven sin-binnings, Roosters captain James Tedesco left the field before failing his head injury assessment, and Latrell Mitchell played one the most damaging games in his career.

A new season brings changes to both sides with Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson on the wing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Blake Taaffe, Davvy Moale and Shaquai Mitchell all being added to the side. The Roosters have a number of changes as well with former Souths winger Jaxson Paulo coming into the side and Joseph Manu, Brandon Smith, Lindsay Collins, Jake Turpin, Drew Hutchison, Terrell May and Fletcher Baker all joining the matchday squad.

The Roosters have won 29 of their 48 matches against the Rabbitohs; however, the recent injury clouds surrounding Brandon Smith and Victor Radley, as well as Jared Waerea-Hargraves and Joseph Manu returning from injury, makes it difficult to support the home side. The Rabbitohs appear to have the stronger forward pack, and that will likely be the deciding factor. Souths should be able to make it two wins from two at the new-look Allianz Stadium against the Roosters, which is paying $1.70 with BetOnline.

The Rabbitohs will be hyperaware of their former winger Paulo and his defensive deficiencies. The left-edge attack of Cody Walker, Isaiah Tass and Alex Johnston is one of the best in the league, capable of scoring at will against the best in the competition. Look for Walker’s running game to terrorise the right-edge defence of the Sydney Roosters, creating overlaps for Johnston to score two or more tries during the match ($5).

Clear, dry weather conditions are predicted for Sydney in the lead-up to this match, which will suit both sides’ attacking games. Small, mobile forward packs in combination with fast, agile outside backs should create a scenario with plenty of scoring opportunities. Players such as Mitchell, Manu and the two Walkers, Cody and Sam, are some of the best attackers in the NRL, with the ability to create something from nothing. Look for this match to be a high-scoring one exceeding 39.5 total match points ($1.90).

Key matchup: Victor Radley v Cameron Murray

The battle between the two lock-forwards of this side will be one of many highlights for the night. The strength in defence and their ball carrying, coupled with their passing skills and ability to move the ball quickly for their outside backs, makes them two of the best players in their positions in the competition. Unfortunately, both also have a history of injury and concussion. Whoever can stay on the field for longer, having more positive impacts on the game for their side, could be the key to their side winning this match.

Roosters v Rabbitohs NRL match prediction

Roosters v Rabbitohs Rd 3 same game multi

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