Roosters v Rabbitohs: JWH, Radley return; Tatola, Sele boost pack
Who could ever forget the last time these two foundations clubs faced off at Allianz Stadium, when the Rabbitohs ended the Roosters' 2022 season in a blaze of controversy and sin bins?
In the final analysis it was the Bunnies prevailing 30-14 after a record seven players were sent to the bin and three more failed HIAs as emotions spilled over on a number of occasions.
There will be no shortage of motivation on Friday as both sides look to hit top gear after a win and a loss to open the 2023 season.
The Roosters were stunned by new boys the Dolphins in Round 1 before bouncing back against the Warriors while the Rabbitohs were slick against the Sharks but below their best against Penrith.
With games against the Sea Eagles and Storm to come in the next fortnight it's crucial the Rabbitohs find some rhythm in their attack and not let rivals get the jump on them as the premiers did on Thursday.
The Roosters, meanwhile, will be hoping for a couple of big guns to return this week as they look to take a big scalp and momentum into their Round 4 bye.
Match: Roosters v Rabbitohs
Round 3 -
home Team
Roosters
5th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
16th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Roosters: Coach Trent Robinson tweaked his starting pack an hour out from kick-off, putting Kiwi internationals Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Brandon Smith back to the bench and starting Fletcher Baker and Jake Turpin at prop and hooker respectively. Victor Radley returns to start at lock after missing Round 2 with an eye injury/head knock.
Rabbitohs: Utility Blake Taaffe dropped off the bench prior to kick-off, with South Sydney instead opting for four forwards, with Jed Cartwright joining the interchange. In his return from a calf injury Hame Sele starts and Tom Burgess reverts to the bench. Prop Tevita Tatola is back after missing Round 2 with a head knock.
Match: Roosters v Rabbitohs
Round 3 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 14 Jake TurpinHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher BakerProp for Rabbitohs is number 15 Hame Sele
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Michael Chee Kam
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Davvy Moale
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Drew HutchisonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Shaquai Mitchell
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell MayInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Jed Cartwright
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Naufahu WhyteReplacement for Rabbitohs is number 14 Blake Taaffe
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won only one of their past six games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell has kicked 14 goals from 14 attempts at the new Allianz Stadium.
- Roosters centre Joseph Manu is on a run of eight consecutive NRL wins.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 11 tries in his past six games against the Roosters.
- The Roosters have won 10 of their past 12 home games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
