NRL: Wary eye on the Rabbitohs

Cameron Smith. Photo / Getty Images

Melbourne Storm might have got the better of South Sydney but they're certain they haven't seen the last of them after the defending NRL champions flexed their muscle against the contenders and finished with a 26-8 win at AAMI Park on Friday night.

They set up the win with two early tries to take a 14-0 lead and managed to hold off an improved Rabbitohs outfit in the second half.

But Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith predicted their paths would cross again come the NRL finals. He said Souths were obviously missing gun fullback Greg Inglis, who is set to return for their game against Manly on Friday night.

Five-eighth John Sutton (ankle) may also play. Rabbitohs winger Dylan Farrell was heavily concussed during the Storm game but appeared to recover well.

Smith, who played with Inglis at the Storm, said the powerhouse player gave his team-mates confidence: "They're a great footy side and they have been all year. They've been the most consistent team. Obviously over the last couple of weeks, they haven't had results go their way but they've got a couple of injuries at the moment.

"You take Greg Inglis out of any side and it's a blow for your team and he'll be a big inclusion. They'll be in the finals for sure and we'll see plenty of them."

Meanwhile, a team with one last hope of making the finals are set to pull a selection surprise for today's must-win clash against St George Illawarra with the likely return of luckless winger Jordan Kahu.

Kahu trained only briefly on the right wing yesterday but the Broncos are preparing to swing him into the starting backline for a massive assignment against Brett Morris at Suncorp Stadium.

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin indicated the injury-plagued three-quarter would be rushed in for Lachlan Maranta if he gains a medical clearance from his hand injury.

"Jordie Kahu with his hand looks like he'll get a clearance so we're just going to decide what to do, otherwise we'll go 1-17 [including Maranta]," the coach said. "Kahu has done a great job for us until he broke his hand. Lachie has been doing a job for us for a long time but Jordie's ready a bit earlier than what we thought he would be."

- AAP