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They didn't come away with the points but Wests Tigers will have gained confidence from pushing Penrith all the way last round.

The Tigers provide a strong test for South Sydney, who sit just behind their opponents in ninth place after staving off a spirited Bulldogs outfit in round eight.

The Rabbitohs, yet to truly hit their stride, are looking to string back-to-back wins together for the second time this season.

Tigers coach Michael Maguire would savour a victory against the team he led to a premiership in 2014.

The Rundown

Team news

Rabbitohs: The Bunnies are 1-17. Centre Braidon Burns is out due to a season-ending knee injury. Bayley Sironen returns from a minor back complaint on the bench. Steve Marsters and Troy Dargan were trimmed from the reserves on Thursday night and Corey Allan and Mark Nicholls were omitted an hour before game time. The Rabbitohs have won their past three games at Bankwest Stadium.

Wests Tigers: A late change for Michael Maguire with veteran Chris Lawrence promoted to the starting side and Michael Chee-Kam going to the bench. Russell Packer and Chris McQueen were the last two cut an hour before kick-off.

Reece Hoffman debuts on the wing in place of the injured Tommy Talau (hamstring). Veteran playmaker Benji Marshall replaces young forward Sam McIntyre (concussion) on the bench.

Chee-Kam had originally been named at centre for the suspended Joey Leilua. Moses Mbye (knee) and Luciano Leilua (head knock) are good to go. Winger David Nofoaluma has scored five tries in his past four games at Bankwest Stadium.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Adam Doueihi
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Dane Gagai
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell Graham
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Moses Mbye
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 James Roberts
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 17 Chris Lawrence
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Alex Johnston
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 19 Reece Hoffman
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Josh Reynolds
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Josh Aloiai
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Harry Grant
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Oliver Clark
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'a
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Ethan Lowe
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Matthew Eisenhuth

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Bayley Sironen
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 3 Michael Chee Kam
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Patrick Mago
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Elijah Taylor
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Hame Sele
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Mark Nicholls
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Benji Marshall

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ben Cummins
  • Touch Judge: Tim Roby
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Could we be seeing a preview of an Origin battle between NSW hooker Damien Cook and Queensland hopeful Harry Grant? Cook was strong for South Sydney last week, picking up two Dally M votes, while Grant has taken the game by storm since arriving at the Tigers on a loan deal from Melbourne, leading some to suggest he's ready to represent the Maroons. Both No.9s have electric running games.

Stat attack

Surprisingly for a Bennett-coached team, the Rabbitohs have been guilty of turning over the ball way too easily. They have the equal third-worst completion rate this season (75 per cent) and have made the fifth-most errors (92). The Tigers have shown much better handling - they're equal fifth for completion rate (79 per cent) and have produced the second-fewest errors (77).

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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