Battle of Britain set to erupt on Canberra Stadium's big night
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2019 6:39 pm
The Battle of Britain is set to erupt both on and off Canberra Stadium on Friday night.
The Canberra Raiders boast four Englishmen in their ranks, while the South Sydney Rabbitohs have three - all from the the same family.
Throw in England coach Wayne Bennett doubling as Souths' mentor, combine that with his rivalry with Raiders boss Ricky Stuart and things are set to get completely Barmy in the first preliminary final in the ACT.
Raiders co-captain Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman have all starred in the Green Machine's drive to be within touching distance of ending a 25-year grand final drought, while Ryan Sutton is looking to force his way back into Stuart's side after missing out on the qualifying final win over Melbourne.
The Rabbitohs boast three brothers Burgess - Sam, Thomas and George - as well as Bennett.
It adds up to 124 English Tests descending on Canberra Stadium.
As the Rabbitohs captain, Sam's the driving force behind the visitors - when he's not suspended - while Hodgson is the Raiders' heartbeat.
Everything begins with the Canberra hooker, while the second row of Whitehead and Bateman is arguably the best in the NRL.
Whitehead will play his 100th NRL game in the prelim.
Future NRL Immortal Johnathan Thurston has loved watching Stuart's Barmy Army in action and he's backed the back-row duo to wreak some havoc.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ ... /?cs=14239
The Canberra Raiders boast four Englishmen in their ranks, while the South Sydney Rabbitohs have three - all from the the same family.
Throw in England coach Wayne Bennett doubling as Souths' mentor, combine that with his rivalry with Raiders boss Ricky Stuart and things are set to get completely Barmy in the first preliminary final in the ACT.
Raiders co-captain Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman have all starred in the Green Machine's drive to be within touching distance of ending a 25-year grand final drought, while Ryan Sutton is looking to force his way back into Stuart's side after missing out on the qualifying final win over Melbourne.
The Rabbitohs boast three brothers Burgess - Sam, Thomas and George - as well as Bennett.
It adds up to 124 English Tests descending on Canberra Stadium.
As the Rabbitohs captain, Sam's the driving force behind the visitors - when he's not suspended - while Hodgson is the Raiders' heartbeat.
Everything begins with the Canberra hooker, while the second row of Whitehead and Bateman is arguably the best in the NRL.
Whitehead will play his 100th NRL game in the prelim.
Future NRL Immortal Johnathan Thurston has loved watching Stuart's Barmy Army in action and he's backed the back-row duo to wreak some havoc.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ ... /?cs=14239