Storm v Rabbitohs: Katoa set to return; Knight back in NRL
The Rabbitohs are flying high after a last-up win over the ladder-leading Broncos, but this week are tasked with taking on a Storm side they lost to just a month ago.
Melbourne were the last team to beat South Sydney back in Round 5, and since then Jason Demetriou's side have shown themselves to be arguably the competition's form team with consecutive wins over the Bulldogs, Dolphins, Panthers and Broncos.
With Campbell Graham scoring tries for fun and Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell firing, the Rabbitohs are a scary prospect with ball in hand, while in defence they have given up more than 18 points to an opponent just once all year.
The Storm will be well rested after a bye in Round 9, which came after they toughed out a victory over the Warriors on Anzac Day.
Melbourne have a brilliant record against South Sydney, winning 84 per cent of their meetings to date, while the Rabbitohs have enjoyed playing at Suncorp Stadium in recent times, with three victories in a row at the venue heading into Magic Round.
Match: Storm v Rabbitohs
Round 10 -
home Team
Storm
6th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
2nd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Storm: Grant Anderson has been added to the bench an hour before kick-off with Tariq Sims going back to 18th Man. Eliesa Katoa is back after suffering a head knock on Anzac Day. Craig Bellamy's side is otherwise relatively settled and coming off a bye with Tom Eisenhuth back from a hip injury on the interchange.
Rabbitohs: The Rabbitohs are 1-17 with no late changes. Davvy Moale is out of the squad and Liam Knight, who returned from a knee injury via NSW Cup last week, is included on the interchange for his first NRL game of the season. Tevita Tatola and Hame Sele both start the game this week with Jai Arrow going to the bench. Blake Taaffe is 18th Man.
Match: Storm v Rabbitohs
Round 10 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis SmithCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane Milne
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian WelchProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Hame Sele
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Michael Chee Kam
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh KingLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Bronson GarlickInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jed Cartwright
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Aaron PeneInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jai Arrow
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tom EisenhuthInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Liam Knight
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Grant AndersonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Thomas Burgess
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 17 Tariq SimsReplacement for Rabbitohs is number 19 Blake Taaffe
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won eight of their past nine games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell has scored 70 points in his past four games.
- The Storm have lost three of their past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston will make his 200th NRL appearance.
- Storm playmaker Cameron Munster has won 11 games from 13 against the Rabbitohs.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
