NRL: Souths wary of Sea Eagles backlash

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South Sydney coach Michael Maguire says he is wary of a Manly side coming off a record NRL loss ahead of tonight's encounter in Gosford.

The Sea Eagles surrendered a record Brookvale Oval lead in round one against Melbourne when they led 20-0 after 30 minutes before going down 23-22 in golden point extra-time.

The loss has stung the Sea Eagles with forward leader Anthony Watmough declaring the effort "wasn't up to NRL standard".

The Rabbitohs were arguably the most impressive team in round one with their 28-8 win over premiers the Sydney Roosters but Maguire has cautioned his troops as to the bounce-back factor as they ready to face last year's grand finalists in successive weeks.

"Melbourne are a team that have shown for a long, long time they are always in the game and so are Manly," Maguire said.

"It was probably very unlike a Manly team but I know they will come out fired up this week and we have to be sure we are well and truly on our game.

"In that first half last week Manly were on fire.

"They put a number of great plays on, they showed their capabilities and no doubt they will again. If that loss happened to be us, we would be stung too, so we know they will be well and truly up for a game.

"They are always dangerous. They have been a quality team for a long time and they have been performing at a high level for a long time and been involved in Grand Finals for a while now."

Brett Stewart (hamstring) is a significant omission for Manly for the Bluetongue Stadium clash. Pita Hiku will take his spot at fullback.

David Williams (knee) returns for Manly alongside prop Jason King, who has overcome a shoulder injury.

Souths are unchanged from the 17 that took the Roosters to task.

Meanwhile, the Broncos are contemplating how to stop the twin threats of playmaker and 112kg wrecking-ball Jason Taumalolo in the Queensland derby at a packed Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

North Queensland Cowboys co-captain Thurston played a starring role in his side's gutsy come-from-behind 28-22 win over Canberra last weekend, including a clever 60m solo try after a quick tap caught the Raiders napping.

New Zealand-born backrower Taumalolo churned out a massive 226m in his first 80-minute match at NRL level and the 20-year-old will look to terrorise Brisbane's right-edge defence of Dale Copley, Matt Gillett and Lachlan Maranta tonight.

"He's big and athletic and he backs himself with the football," Broncos coach Anthony Griffin said about Taumalolo. "He hasn't been around long but he's certainly making an impact.

"Some of his runs against the Raiders were extremely powerful. It's going to be a very tough task trying to contain him."

Griffin's warning applies even more to big-game player Thurston, who didn't compete in the Auckland Nines last month when the Cowboys collected their first silverware with victory over the Broncos in the final.

The Broncos coach believes the NRL's new rule changes have sped up the game considerably and will benefit classy playmakers such as Thurston.

"It will make him more dangerous," Griffin said. "Thurston is obviously going to benefit from that.

"Over a long period he's proven that he competes for 80 minutes."

- AAP