NRL: Cleary retains centre pairing for Rabbitohs

Shaun Berrigan. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Rabbitohs v Warriors
Sydney, 4pm Sunday

Veteran centre Shaun Berrigan and former outcast Joel Moon have retained their centre spots in an unchanged Warriors line-up for Sunday's match against South Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.

Coach Ivan Cleary has adopted somewhat of a revolving door approach to filling the troublesome centre berths this season, with Simon Mannering, Kristnan Inu and injured pair Lewis Brown and Jerome Ropati all used at various stages of the season.

However, a solid showing in their first match together in Friday night's 36-12 thrashing of the Bulldogs has seen Berrigan and Moon retained.

The 32-year-old Berrigan will bring up his 200th NRL appearance. He played 186 times for the Broncos and played 14 tests and 15 Origin matches for Queensland before spending three seasons with Hull FC in the English Super League.

Berrigan's form has fluctuated this season and the club appears unlikely to take up his option for 2012. However, his last two matches have been his most impressive for the club.

"Shaun is certainly one of the most durable players around today," Cleary said. "He's already achieved so many honours in his career and this is another big one."

Moon, a former teammate of Berrigan's at the Broncos, made just his fourth appearance of the season against the Bulldogs.

Having done a good job shutting down the massive Jamal Idris, Moon's next assignment is likely to be marking Greg Inglis, one of the game's most potent attacking players.

His retention means there is still no place for Kristnan Inu, while Ukuma Ta'ai has also not been named despite making his comeback for Mt Albert at the weekend.

The Warriors are in sixth spot on 22 points. Wests Tigers, Penrith and Newcastle follow on 20 points while the Rabbitohs are one of three teams on 18 points.

RABBITOHS v WARRIORS

Rabbitohs

Rhys Wesser
Nathan Merritt
Dylan Farrell
Greg Inglis
Chris McQueen
John Sutton
Chris Sandow
Michael Crocker
Eddy Pettybourne
Jason Clark
Shannan McPherson
Issac Luke
Ben Ross

Interchange: Luke Burgess, David Tyrrell, Ben Lowe, Nathan Peats, Shaune Corrigan.

Warriors

Kevin Locke
Bill Tupou
Joel Moon
Shaun Berrigan
Manu Vatuvei
James Maloney
Shaun Johnson
Russell Packer,
Aaron Heremaia
Jacob Lillyman
Feleti Mateo
S. Mannering (c)
Micheal Luck

Interchange: Lance Hohaia, Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor.