Rabbitohs v Broncos: Benji to start; Farnworth out
The Rabbitohs showed against the Bulldogs last week they can keep the right attitude when playing teams further down the NRL ladder and they'll need to repeat that against the Broncos.
Coach Wayne Bennett said in the preamble to the Good Friday match-up that games against lower-ranked oppositions were the ones he worried about the most.
Games against former assistant coaches could also fall in that category for Bennett as he faces Kevin Walters as a head coach for the first time.
And while we're on Bennett, although this is third year at Redfern Oval, the 631 games and six grand finals he won as Broncos coach aren't a distant memory either.
Rabbitohs v Broncos
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 5 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
3rd Position
away Team
Broncos
12th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: Forward Hame Sele, who survived the first round of squad cuts, has been cleared to play if selected after recovering from a rib injury. Named in the reserves, he provides another option for Wayne Bennett. Utility Dean Hawkins will debut off the interchange.
Winger Jaxson Paulo and halfback Troy Dargan were omitted 24 hours ahead of kick-off.
Benji Marshall has taken the No.6 jersey in place of the suspended Cody Walker while Jacob Host will come into the back row for Keaon Koloamatangi (also suspended).
The Rabbitohs have won three of their past four games against the Broncos.
Broncos: Centre Herbie Farnworth is out due to shoulder soreness with Richie Kennar coming into the centres. Patrick Carrigan is out suspended, with Tevita Pangai jnr named to start at lock. John Asiata has joined the bench in the 20-man squad named by Kevin Walters.
Corey Paix was the first player to be omitted from the squad on Wednesday.
The Broncos have not won in Sydney since July 2019.
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 5 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell MitchellFullback for Broncos is number 1 Jamayne Isaako
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Broncos is number 2 Xavier Coates
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Broncos is number 3 Richard Kennar
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Broncos is number 4 Tesi Niu
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Josh MansourWinger for Broncos is number 5 David Mead
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Benji MarshallFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Thomas BurgessProp for Broncos is number 8 Matthew Lodge
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Tevita TatolaProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jacob Host2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Broncos is number 13 Tevita Pangai Junior
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Dean HawkinsInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Brodie Croft
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark NichollsInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Thomas Flegler
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Patrick MagoInterchange for Broncos is number 16 John Asiata
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jai ArrowInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Ben Te'o
Reserves
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 18 Hame SeleReserve for Broncos is number 18 Ethan Bullemor
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Damien Cook v Jake Turpin. At the stages they're at in their careers, it is probably a bit rich to expect Turpin to match Cook's output.
But what the Brisbane No.9 must do is provide great service from dummy half, be a threat with ball in hand and make his tackles. We know we'll get that from Cook.
Stat Attack
The Broncos want to keep that defence tight as South Sydney shooter Adam Reynolds booted six conversions from six tries last weekend (plus 1-1 penalties) and is tracking at a conversion rate of 83% - just shy of the 85% he reached in 2020.
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