Rabbitohs v Warriors: Mitchell, Johnston out; RTS moves to wing
After a pressure-relieving first win last Friday, the Rabbitohs play host to a Warriors side who have hit form over the past fortnight.
While it was far from a complete performance, South Sydney did enough to get home 20-16 over the Bulldogs on Good Friday, completing all but two of their 36 sets with the ball but still finishing on the wrong end of several key stat categories.
The Warriors meanwhile picked up their second win of the season with a gritty 20-12 win over the Knights in Auckland, earned on the back of another strong defensive showing in which the two tries they leaked both came from kicks.
South Sydney won their lone meeting with the Warriors comfortably last season to extend their winning run against the Kiwi side to eight in a row.
The Warriors have played at Accor Stadium just twice in the past four years, winning both of those games against the Bulldogs, while the Rabbitohs have won eight of their past 10 at the venue.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Rabbitohs v Warriors
Team News
Rabbitohs: Peter Mamouzelos joined the bench in the one-hour update, taking the place of Davvy Moale, who instead played in the club's NSW Cup game earlier in the day. Dean Hawkins runs the side from halfback for the third game in a row.
Warriors: Back-rower Jacob Laban is a late inclusion on the bench and will make his NRL debut, taking the spot of hooker Freddy Lussick. That change comes after coach Andrew Webster lost Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (hamstring) and Marata Niukore (foot) on Friday. Adam Pompey will play at centre with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moving to the wing for his 200th game. The Warriors' injury toll also includes Luke Metcalf, Kurt Capewell and Dylan Walker.
Match: Rabbitohs v Warriors
Round 5 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell MitchellFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Izaac Tu’itupou ThompsonWinger for Warriors is number 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack WightonCentre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Isaiah TassCentre for Warriors is number 18 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane MilneWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Dean HawkinsHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas BurgessProp for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Michael Chee KamInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tallis DuncanInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Jazz Tevaga
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean KeppieInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Jacob Laban
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Peter MamouzelosInterchange for Warriors is number 21 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Reserves
-
Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 17 Davvy MoaleReplacement for Warriors is number 23 Ali Leiataua
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have scored 208 points in their past five games against the Warriors.
- Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will play his 200th NRL game.
- Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker has scored nine tries in 11 games against the Warriors.
Match: Rabbitohs v Warriors
Round 5 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
17th Position
away Team
Warriors
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
