NRL: Souths expect Bulldogs to target Inglis

Greg Inglis is rested and injury-free heading into a season for the first time since his early days at Melbourne. Photo / Getty Images

South Sydney are preparing for star fullback Greg Inglis to be targeted by a fired-up Canterbury in their Good Friday NRL showdown.

While the match marks the return of Dally M medal winner Ben Barba for the Bulldogs, Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said it was his own brilliant No.1 who could come under the microscope.

The Bulldogs went hard at Billy Slater in last week's narrow 22-18 loss to Melbourne in an attempt to slow down the brilliant Queensland and Australia custodian.

Slater still shone, making two line breaks and running for 141 metres, but he was placed on report after defusing a bomb when he struck out with his boot and connected with the throat of Bulldogs prop David Klemmer.

An aggressive kick-chase is just one of the tactics expected to be employed to try and nullify the impact of Inglis, who has been in ominous form to start the year.

"I think all teams are doing that at the moment, I think that's going to be part of the season we have going ahead," Maguire said on Wednesday.

"Every good fullback is always targeted.

"You've got your Billy Slaters and Benny Barbas coming back in.

"A lot of fullbacks right throughout the game ... teams are looking at certain strategies to try and keep them out of the game."

Maguire said it was up to Inglis' teammates to ensure the Queensland and Australia powerhouse is given the best chance to leave his mark on the game.

"That's another one that we handle as a group," he said.

"The harder we work as a team, it allows Greg to get into the game."

Maguire welcomed Barba's return, saying it would give his side a good gauge of where they are placed early in the season.

Despite being undefeated, Maguire was unimpressed with his team's defensive display in last round's high-scoring win over Penrith, which provided more questions than answers.

"We need to be an improved group from last weekend," he said.

"And we're going to be challenged again this weekend with Benny coming (back) and obviously all the other players they've got in that team."