Will the Raiders be able to stop hulking Souths forward David Taylor in tomorrow’s clash?
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Dave Taylor of the Rabbitohs runs with the ball during the round 17 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium on July 1, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
MANLY v NORTH QUEENSLAND
It will be difficult for North Queensland not to take stock of their most previous finals outing against Manly when the two teams clash tonight.
Or, for that matter, their playing record against the Sea Eagles altogether.
Manly have the wood on Neil Henry's side in recent history, having won six of the past eight clashes between the two teams.
That includes the 2011 final.
With their season on the line, the Cowboys relinquished an 8-0 lead in round one of last year's play-offs to bow out 42-8 losers to the eventual premiers.
While it is easy to talk down that result as being of little relevance, it will be essential the Cowboys don't repeat their mistakes tonight.
In their past three encounters Manly have shown they have the defensive structures to nullify the Cowboys' high-scoring attack, limiting them to a mere 18 points overall.
That's a huge feat from Manly given North Queensland are the best attacking team in the NRL, boasting 597 points this year.
What becomes of vital importance tonight is the ability of either team to graft away at victory.
The Cowboys had an easy opening to the play-offs in their first-week romp over Brisbane. The Sea Eagles, meanwhile, put themselves in pole position midway through their loss to Canterbury, leading 10-6 - only to lose 16-10. Tonight will test the premiership credentials of either side.
CANBERRA v SOUTHS
Beware the Coal Train.
David Taylor has much to live up to when his side takes on the Canberra Raiders tomorrow night.
Let's count back to round 12, the last time these two opponents met.
Taylor - fresh from Queensland's feats in game one of Origin - ran riot, scoring two tries and causing destruction on the field.
But since then, the hulking forward has dropped a peg or two from his scintillating best. Taylor was omitted from the Origin decider and is said to be on the outer for Australian Test selection.
Much criticism was levelled at the 122 kilogram giant for his lack of discipline in last weekend's loss to Melbourne, and you'd expect he'd want to right the wrongs tomorrow.
Adding reason to his turnaround is the fact a 20-year-old Raiders forward has been tagged the man to stop him in his tracks.
Josh Papalli, the man who diffused Paul Gallen's efforts last week with a strong physical presence, is said to be aiming up on Taylor.
Between them it promises to be quite the battle.
