Stats show Farah and Cook key to Rabbitohs

Mar 16, 2017 - 11:00 PM It turns out you can teach an old Tiger new tricks.

On the eve of Robbie Farah's 250th NRL match, against Newcastle, at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday, statistics show just how influential his arrival, and unique combination with fellow-hooker Damien Cook has been for South Sydney.

Farah, 33, has never played in an on-field combination like it, but there's no doubting the lethal impact it's having on the Rabbitohs' attack.

The pair have spent just 40 of a possible 160 minutes on the field together in the first two rounds, however the Rabbitohs have scored five tries in that time, compared to only four in the rest of the time, spent without the dynamic duo paired up.

When they are combined on the field, Souths lead an aggregate scoreboard 28-4 with the new-look set-up.

Farah got his first try in Souths colours in last week's win over Manly, and the unusual approach of dual dummy-halves working in unison has helped create some serious momentum in attack.

"I really enjoy working out the way we can have those three boys play," coach Michael Maguire said.

"The fact that Cookie can slot in as a lock position and so can Robbie and Robbie can play in the halves.

"When you build a bit of momentum Cookie can go into dummy-half, he's quick. If you find a fatigued player out there he can obviously capitalise on that."

The timing of their combination has also been crucial.

The pair took the score from 20-18 to 38-18 in their time on the field against Manly last week, while they were also both present for the final two tries after a woeful night against Wests Tigers in round one.

Maguire expected they could make life just as difficult for the Knights this Saturday, as defensive units competition-wide struggle to come to terms with new attacking structures this year.

"Teams are coming up with various structures of what they're putting on the park and defences are still working that out," Maguire said.

"An option that having those two blokes on the field is very handy."

Newcastle present their own challenges for Souths' defence after claiming their first win in 11 months last week.

Senior Rabbitohs players have laid down the law during the week, telling teammates they had failed to meet the 2014 premiers' lofty standards.

They conceded three tries in the opening 12 minutes against Manly last week, and Maguire knows they can't afford to start the same way against the rejuvenated Knights.

"(Newcastle) are throwing the ball around and are using some structures there that are a little different to what some teams have used in the past," Maguire said.

"They've definitely caught their last two teams napping at times throughout their defence."

STATS THAT MATTER:

* Souths have scored five of their nine tries this season in the 40 minutes Robbie Farah and Damien Cook have spent on the field together.

* Souths have beaten Newcastle in the past seven encounters, dating back to 2011.

* Newcastle were the only team to overcome a halftime deficit in the first two rounds of the season.

Courtesy Fox Sports Stats

Source: AAP






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