NRL round 23 preview

Rabbitohs hooker Issac Luke returns this week. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A look ahead at round 23 of the NRL and the key matchups and talking points.

1 Game of the week

Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles

A six-match winning run has seen the Rabbitohs rise to second place on the table, just a win behind the also surging Bulldogs. Manly, meanwhile, outlasted the Cowboys in Townsville to move into the top four. The Rabbitohs will be reinforced by the return of Issac Luke (suspension ) and Roy Asotasi (injury). Sam Burgess is free to play after receiving a low-grade charge for a high tackle, while Greg Inglis is still suspended. Manly are a different side with both Stewart brothers back in action but they lose forward Darcy Lussick to a two-week suspension.

2 Stand aside SBW, here comes RTS

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, the former Otahuhu College student, didn't do so well when it came to settling nerves about his representative loyalties. "At the moment I'm a New Zealander, I'll probably stay with Kiwis," he told journalist Steve Mascord on ABC radio. At the moment? Probably? Geez, kid, that better not be the end of that interview. "Kiwis all the way!" Oh, that's better. Had us worried there fella.

3 You said it

From the Herald's inbox following Sunday's Warriors humiliation: "I have the Warrior number plate, the tattoo on my arm as well. I will always support the boys but these guys need to feel the pain. As a fan, man, I feel a loss for nearly the whole week." - Allan

"I was at the game and it really was dreadful and whilst I am not a huge coach blamer I am struggling to see what the new coach has achieved at the Warriors - on the plus side that is." - Gary

4 Angry Craig

After five straight losses it seems Craig Bellamy rediscovered his inner fury. Angry Bellamy put the Storm players on notice ahead of the 46-6 thrashing of Penrith. "I don't think many of the boys had seen that side of Craig before," captain Cameron Smith said. "I have seen him go right off. Everyone is now aware of what he can dish up and we don't want to see that Craig Bellamy again this year."

5 The Burgess bunch

Thomas Burgess joins brothers Sam, Luke and George at the Rabbitohs next season. Thomas was at Bradford where a tourist guide lists such attractions as Salts Mill (a preserved Victorian Village) and a museum dedicated to the Bronte sisters. Heading to Bondi, then, must have been a tough call for Tom, a 196cm, 115kg forward.

6 Des has a point

We reluctantly leap to Des Hasler's defence over his spray at refs Brett Suttor and Jason Robinson after last week's victory over the Knights. Hasler was incensed by the exchange after the Dogs' second try. Suttor: "We just have to remember that Newcastle hasn't had the ball yet, so this could turn around very quickly." Robinson: "Very true." Hasler's issue was that the refs seemed to be pre-empting what was to happen. Is he wrong? Absolutely not. But as listeners at Warriors' matches know, this ain't exactly a new phenomenon.