Considering the likelihood that the Rabbitohs and Roosters will meet again during the upcoming finals, it will be interesting to see what approach the teams take.
Neither will want to give any trick plays away, but both would like nothing more than to head into the post-season with a win over the fierce rival under the belt.
The Roosters scored a well-deserved 12-4 win when the two sides met in the 2018 preliminary final before the Rabbitohs scored a 26-16 win in the opening week of the 2019 season.
With both sides boasting rep players as far as the eye can see, another chapter in the NRL's greatest rivalry is looming large.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 25 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
3rd Position
away Team
Roosters
2nd Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: Souths are 1-17, with Bayley Sironen and Mawene Hiroti dropping off the reserves list. Connor Tracey and Kurt Dillon were omitted 24 hours before kick-off. The Rabbitohs are aiming for two regular-season wins against the Roosters for the first time since 2009.
Roosters: Luke Keary is out, with Drew Hutchison to start in the halves, while Brett Morris and Mitch Aubusson dropped out of the side on Wednesday night. They are replaced in the starting side by rookie winger Billy Smith for his second NRL game and former Rabbitoh Angus Crichton. Sitili Tupouniua comes into the 17, Nat Butcher starts at lock and Victor Radley will come off the bench. Boyd Cordner (calf) and Cooper Cronk (eye) return from injury.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 25 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Adam DoueihiFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell GrahamCentre for Roosters is number 3 Latrell Mitchell
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Dane GagaiCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Corey AllanWinger for Roosters is number 18 Billy Smith
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 21 Drew Hutchison
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Cooper Cronk
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Sam BurgessProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Liam KnightProp for Roosters is number 10 Isaac Liu
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 John Sutton2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Boyd Cordner
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Roosters is number 17 Angus Crichton
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Ethan LoweInterchange for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tom AmoneInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Lindsay Collins
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Tevita TatolaInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Zane Tetevano
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Mark NichollsInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Sitili Tupouniua
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Chris Butler
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Cameron Murray v Victor Radley. As two members of an impressive young brigade of locks, Murray and Radley have quickly become key members of their respective teams. Murray has an edge as a ball runner while Radley's defence is the equal of anyone in the competition.
For the Rabbitohs to win
Damien Cook's speed out of dummy half sparks many an attacking raid for the Rabbitohs. If Cook is able to get open space in the middle third of the field, the likes of Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds will have room to weave their magic.
For the Roosters to win
When you've got attacking players the calibre of Cronk, Tedesco and Mitchell it's pretty simple - get your forwards to get the ball into good field position and then watch that quartet do what they do best.
Brett Kimmorley says
The Rabbitohs are finding some good form after Wayne Bennett was a little worried about them a few weeks back. They’ve had two pretty big performances built on the back of great discipline and high completion rates. That’s how they’ll challenge the Roosters, who are flying right now. The Roosters have the possibility of getting some big stars back this week. They will want to get everyone back out there before the finals. Roosters by 4
Stat Attack
The Rabbitohs had 10 players run for more than 100 metres in their win over the Warriors. They are highly unlikely to find as many open spaces against the Roosters.
And another thing ...
South Sydney have two players in the top 10 for try assists. While Roosters No.6 Luke Keary is second-best in the NRL in that category, South Sydney have Damien Cook and Cody Walker among what is a great list of attacking players.
