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Ben Barba

Bulldogs

Bulldogs
 
Bulldogs

Greg Inglis

Rabbitohs

It makes no difference whether he’s chiming into the backline on a set move or searching for room deep inside his own quarter – the fact is oppositions continue to find collaring Ben Barba the toughest assignment in the NRL. Just when players think they have him surrounded he’ll pump his legs and in a blur of acceleration be off and gone – either touching down for a try or paving the way for a team-mate to score.
Ben Barba
 
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis has always represented a threat on the left side of the field, with pace, bulk, a jolting left-foot sidestep and a wonderful reaching fend making him one of the toughest players to haul in when he gets into space. But whereas he was a clear danger in the front line when playing in the centres, now he’s at fullback his threat is a sometimes hidden one.
GalleryPlayer StatsVideo
GalleryPlayer StatsVideo
 
Ben Barba Bulldogs
 
Rabbitohs Greg Inglis
 
Barba starts a length-of-the-field Bulldogs highlight reel.
From a standing start to sealing victory for the Bulldogs
A Bulldogs scrum sets Ben Barba up for his second try.
As if trying to contain their runners isn't enough of a challenge the Bulldogs present one of the biggest threats when kicking for their outside men They've scored a whopping 25 tries off the boot " ranking them second in the comp behind the Raiders.
Another length of the field special from the super-freak.
His unique talent covering support play, counter-attack and instigator.
Canterbury scored almost half of their season tries from moves that originated longer than 20 metres away from the opposition try-line. No side scored more tries from long range, with the 'Dogs crossing for an NRL-high 17 tries that were kick-started inside their own half.
Injuries to Bryson Goodwin, Steve Turner and Steve Lafai all covered by astute mid-season recruitments of Krisnan Inu and Sam Perrett. Inu's impact in particular was staggering after joining in Round 12.
Under Des Hasler the Dogs forwards now comprise ball-playing front-rowers, gifted offloaders, mobile runners and resolute defenders. Englishman James Graham (127 metres, 32 tackles) has been an unsung hero in his first NRL season.
Barba beats everybody to bring the Bulldogs fans to life.
Chris Sandow gets swatted away by the Rabbitohs fullback.
Souths have had more success breaking through opposition defences than any other side, with an NRL-high 124 to date. Their threat is spread across the park with their most dangerous weapons including Inglis (19), Taylor (14), Dylan Farrell (12), Merritt (11), Everingham (10), and Sam Burgess, John Sutton, Chris McQueen and Reynolds (eight each).
A six-game winning streak from Round 17 sees them thrust high up the top eight. In Round 19 they get even with Roosters, scoring two tries in final two minutes to avenge similar-scenario loss in Round 1. Adam Reynolds scores the match-winner backing up Issac Luke.
Inglis saves a try with this crunching tackle on Hoffman.
The Rabbitohs fullback shows his skillful step.
Nathan Merritt may have initially felt down in the dumps about being overlooked for the No.1 jersey " but his disappointment would have been short-lived given the incredible attacking thrust Inglis has provided from fullback.
All the questions about Souths in 2012 concerned how they'd go without Chris Sandow but Adam Reynolds answered them all with a seamless transition into the No.7 jersey. Just like Daly Cherry-Evans, played every minute of his debut season.
When the Rabbitohs have worked their way into the opposition 10-metre zone in 2012, points have usually followed. Souths have the third best success rate from close range, scoring 47 tries. In particular they are the kings of the 'burrow', scoring an NRL-high 12 tries from dummy-half.
Inglis doesn't let the half-time hooter stop this big hit.
 

Barba’s cut

Friday 13th July

The surgeon

Sunday 5th August

Barba’s cut
The surgeon

Has there been a more naturally gifted attacking rugby league player? Matthew Bowen… Benji Marshall… Billy Slater… Greg Inglis… no question they’re all superstars – but no-one has ever before shown the ability to turn games on their heads so often and against the odds like Ben Barba has in 2012. The custodian has an unrivalled knack for reading plays; it’s like his mind is functioning five seconds ahead of the clock.

Michael Maguire moved Inglis from centre to custodian after their Round 2 loss to the Storm; the very next week ‘GI’ tore Penrith apart, scoring a try, making two line-breaks and running for 193 metres. He’s made life miserable for all sides since, especially chiming in on the left-hand side of the field, employing his don’t-argue fend and devastating left-foot sidestep. His support play trailing through the centre of the ruck, a la Billy Slater, has been a feature too.

 
 
BulldogsBen Barba
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RabbitohsGreg Inglis
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