NRL 2023, Rabbitohs v Bulldogs, match preview, statistics, analysis, team lists

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 8 Jul 2023, 06:37 PM

The Rabbitohs got back to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over the Warriors last week, while the Bulldogs endured their darkest day of the season at the hands of the Knights.

Against an in-form Warriors side at a sold-out Go Media Stadium in Auckland, Cody Walker fired South Sydney to a 28-6 win which snapped a prior two-game losing run.

Saturday's meeting with the Dogs at Accor Stadium marks the last time they will play in Sydney until the final round of the season, with a tough run coming up which includes 'home matches' in Perth, Carins and on the Sunshine Coast.

The Bulldogs meanwhile crashed to arguably their lowest point in what has been a miserable few years for the club, as they were beaten 66-0 by a Knights side who went into the game sitting just one point ahead of them on the Telstra Premiership ladder.

A look at their recent record against South Sydney will do little to cheer them up this week either, given they have lost the last five meetings stretching back to 2020.

Both clubs have played seven games at Accor Stadium this year, with South Sydney winning four and the Bulldogs two.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Rabbitohs v Bulldogs

Team News

Rabbitohs: A late reshuffle sees Richie Kennar start in the centres, which moves Taane Milne back to the second row and Liam Knight on the bench, following Michael Chee-Kam's withdrawal. With Cody Walker, Cameron Murray, Damien Cook and Keaon Koloamatangi on Blues Origin duty, Dean Hawkins is the new five-eighth, Siliva Havili starts at hooker and Ben Lovett and Shaquai Mitchell come forward pack. Isaiah Tass returns following the birth of his first child on Sunday. Peter Mamouzelos and Tallis Duncan are the new faces on the bench.

Bulldogs: Ethan Quai-Ward will make his NRL debut after being a late addition at centre, taking the place of Jackson Topine who moves to the second row. Jayden Okunbor reverts to the bench. Toby Sexton comes straight in at halfback having joined the club from the Titans on Tuesday. Jake Averillo is the new full fullback, with Blake Wilson coming in on the wing for NSW Blues rep Josh Addo-Carr.

Round 19 - Round 19 - Saturday 8 Jul

Full Time

Rabbitohs

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Blake Taaffe

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jake Averillo
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Braidon Burns
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 18 Richard Kennar

Centre for Bulldogs is number 22 Ethan Quai-Ward
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Tyrone Munro

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Blake Wilson
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Dean Hawkins

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Forwards

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Siliva Havili

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Ryan Sutton
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 4 Taane Milne

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 4 Jackson Topine
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Benjamin Lovett

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Shaquai Mitchell

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Interchange

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 11 Jayden Okunbor
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tallis Duncan

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kyle Flanagan
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Davvy Moale

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis Morrin
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 21 Liam Knight

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Tevita Pangai Junior

Reserves

Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 19 Josiah Karapani
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Jeral Skelton

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:44 AM

Stat Attack

The Rabbitohs average just under six line breaks per game this year and Alex Johnston is the key man behind that stat, having so far made an NRL-high 24.
The Bulldogs have conceded 173 points in their past four games.
Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 11 tries in his last seven games against the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs miss more tackles than any other side in the competition, and after registering 63 in Round 18 they average 2.5 more than the next-worst offender.
The Rabbitohs have scored 32 points or more in their past five games against the Bulldogs.
Bulldogs forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner will make his 100th appearance for the club.
The Rabbitohs have won three from 11 without Cody Walker since his debut in 2016.