One team is sitting pretty after wins over the 2018 premiers and a side that made it to the second week of last year's finals.
The other has endured a horror start to 2019 with 21-0 and 20-6 losses and injuries to key playmakers all they have to show for their efforts.
The Rabbitohs have looked as good as any side over the first two weeks of the Telstra Premiership. The forwards are firing, Adam Reynolds looks at the top of his game and Wayne Bennett has integrated himself into the club seamlessly.
At the other end of the spectrum, we have the Titans. They've scored one try in two matches while conceding 41 points.
The only negative for the Bunnies was Greg Inglis succumbing to a shoulder injury and withdrawing from Sunday's game.
Still, unless a major reversal of fortune transpires at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night, an 0-3 start is looming large for Garth Brennan and his men.
Match: Rabbitohs v Titans
Round 3 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
2nd Position
away Team
Titans
16th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: With Greg Inglis (shoulder) out, Dane Gagai moves to centre with Corey Allan debuting on the wing. Rhys Kennedy replaces the suspended Liam Knight on the interchange.
Titans: Garth Brennan has made several late changes for the Gold Coast. Dale Copley replaces Brenko Lee on the wing, Mitch Rein starts in place of the injured Nathan Peats (torn pectoral) at hooker, Ryan James returns to the front row, Bryce Cartwright starts in the back row, Keegan Hipgrave joins the bench and Moeaki Fotuaika drops out.
Match: Rabbitohs v Titans
Round 3 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Alex JohnstonFullback for Titans is number 1 Michael Gordon
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell GrahamWinger for Titans is number 2 Anthony Don
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 2 Dane GagaiCentre for Titans is number 3 Tyrone Peachey
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Braidon BurnsCentre for Titans is number 4 Brian Kelly
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 18 Corey AllanWinger for Titans is number 20 Dale Copley
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Alexander Brimson
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Titans is number 7 Ryley Jacks
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Titans is number 8 Jarrod Wallace
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Titans is number 18 Mitch Rein
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas BurgessProp for Titans is number 12 Ryan James
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 John Sutton2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Sam Burgess2nd Row for Titans is number 17 Bryce Cartwright
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Titans is number 13 Jai Arrow
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark NichollsInterchange for Titans is number 10 Shannon Boyd
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Ethan LoweInterchange for Titans is number 14 Phillip Sami
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Kyle TurnerInterchange for Titans is number 16 Max King
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 20 Rhys KennedyInterchange for Titans is number 19 Keegan Hipgrave
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Noyen
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Cameron Murray v Jai Arrow. The growing case for Murray to play for the Blues in this year's State of Origin series will be tested when he faces Maroons regular Arrow. The Titans forward had a monster afternoon (290 running metres) against the Sharks in round two. Here's hoping he and Murray stage a great personal battle within the match.
For the Rabbitohs to win
After years of being one of the best middle forwards in the game, Sam Burgess has enjoyed a great start to life playing on an edge. As a back-rower, his powerful running game and ability to slip a pass away while being tackled is already proving a great avenue for the Rabbitohs attack. It's still early, but it appears Burgess is still getting better. Get him the ball early and often and good things will follow.
For the Titans to win
Brennan's side need to turn statistical dominance into points. The Titans enjoyed a 56 per cent share of possession against the Sharks and also completed their sets at a greater rate than the side that ran out 14-point winners. The mix-and-match approach they've been forced to adopt in the halves hasn't helped.
Brett Kimmorley says ...
The Titans’ edge defence has been horrible for two weeks now, it is something that needs to be fixed. They need to abide by their structures and Garth Brennan has to do very well to get them to stop leaking points. While you are doing that you won’t win a game. South Sydney have been so good to watch. We haven’t even seen Greg Inglis do anything as yet and they are still winning convincingly. When he does get back on the field at full fitness it will be pretty nice to watch. Rabbitohs by 18
Rabbitohs Stat Attack
The Rabbitohs have scored 11 tries in two matches but are credited with just 13 offloads. That means there has been a lot of powerful running, clever kicking and passing plays that have put players into open space well before the defensive line has been engaged.
Titans Stat Attack
Thirty-two errors in 160 minutes of football is a sobering stat. That's a bit better (or actually worse) than one every five minutes. Scoring tries is already hard enough - the Titans have spent large slices of their opening two matches making it harder.
And another thing ...
The draw is stacking up very nicely for the Rabbitohs. After this week's meeting with the Titans they face Manly (away), the Warriors (home) and Bulldogs (away) to wrap up the first quarter of the season. A 6-0 start is well and truly on the cards.
