Daley Mail: round eight preview

Danger man ... Issac Luke takes advantage of lazy defenders. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Much has been said about South Sydney Rabbitohs' giant forward pack, but Laurie Daley believes the smallest Rabbitohs forward is the one who could cause the most damage against Brisbane Broncos.

Hooker Issac Luke regularly terrorises defences with his dart from dummy half, and Daley predicts this could be the case at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

"You look through that South Sydney team, gee it's a massive pack, but the man that could cause all the damage is Issac Luke out of dummy half, because when they get on a roll with Issac Luke out of dummy half, for a lazy defence ... he can expose them," says Daley.

See what else Loz has to say in his video previews of the round below.

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Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Suncorp Stadium, Friday 7.35pm (EST)

"It's a big challenge for the Broncos with no Josh Maguire and no Justin Hodges. Having said that, their last three performances have been excellent and I think they're starting to build for something special," says Daley.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Wests Tigers, ANZ Stadium, Friday 7.35pm (EST)

"The Bulldogs are a team that have lacked confidence, and I thought that was missing at times last week against the Sharks. They need to back it up with a solid performance against an injury-depleted Wests Tigers," says Daley.

Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders, AAMI Park, Saturday 5.30pm (EST)

"Canberra will go down to Melbourne with plenty of confidence. They've won the last two times they've played down there at AAMI Park ... the Raiders tend to match up well with this Melbourne Storm team," says Daley.

Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys, Parramatta Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm (EST)

"Parramatta face a challenge that's not insurmountable, but if you were tipping you'd have to go with the boys from up north," says Daley.

Warriors v Gold Coast Titans, Mt Smart Stadium, Sunday 12pm (EST)

"We know the Warriors can play with a flamboyant style ... but it's their ball security which lets them down and puts a lot of pressure on their defence," says Daley.

Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks, Hunter Stadium, Sunday 2pm (EST)

"You still don't know where Cronulla are in terms of what's going on off the field. With all the distractions around Cronulla, Newcastle look to have had a more settled preparation ... and you'd have to favour them," says Daley.

Sydney Roosters v Penrith Panthers, Allianz Stadium, Sunday 3pm (EST)

"Everyone thought they (the Roosters) were going to be a very good football team, but they're surprised at how quickly they've gelled together. They've got the ingredients to really challenge for a premiership this year," says Daley.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Manly Sea Eagles, WIN Jubilee Stadium, Monday 7pm (EST)

"Manly will appraoch this the way they always approach their battles against the Dragons, and that is a very physical, direct style," says Daley. 

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