Roosters v Rabbitohs: Toia's time to shine: Sullivan takes charge
The game's oldest rivalry is reignited on Friday night as the Roosters attempt to bounce back from a poor performance in Auckland and the Rabbitohs look to start a season 2-0 for just the second time since 2019.
Another chapter will be written in the Book of Feuds as Alex Johnston chases his place in history needing one try to equal Ken Irvine's all-time record and two tries to stand alone at the top of the mountain.
Then there's Daly Cherry-Evans in his second game as a Rooster looking to put an inauspicious club debut against the Warriors behind him.2
The halves is an area the Roosters look to hold a clear edge with DCE and Sam Walker bound to be better for their first run together while the Bunnies are missing Ashton Ward (ankle) and Jamie Humphreys (suspended).
The last time they met in Round 27 last year it was the Roosters winning 36-6 but the Rabbitohs are a very different proposition with Latrell Mitchell and Campbell Graham back on deck and a rampaging David Fifita adding a new dimension to their attack.
Match: Roosters v Rabbitohs
Round 2 -
home Team
Roosters
14th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
6th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Roosters: Rob Toia has overcome a foot injury and comes in at centre while Siua Wong has been named to start in the back row in place of Nat Butcher, who goes to the bench. Egan Butcher is also named to start at lock and Blake Steep moves to the bench. Cody Ramsey and Junior Pauga are the No.18 and 19.
Rabbitohs: The loss of Ashton Ward to an ankle injury brings Jayden Sullivan in at halfback with Sean Keppie the new man on the bench. Latrell Siegwalt is the No.18 with Moala Graham-Taufa again in No.19.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy SmithCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell Mitchell
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert ToiaCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack Wighton
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark NawaqanitawaseWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-EvansFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jayden Sullivan
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu WhyteProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Benaiah IoeluHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Bronson Garlick
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon Koloamatangi
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Euan Aitken
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Egan ButcherLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Blake SteepInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tallis Duncan
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Lachlan Hubner
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Salesi FoketiInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Sean Keppie
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Cody RamseyInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Latrell Siegwalt
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Fetalaiga PaugaInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Moala Graham-Taufa
Reserves
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Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Toby RodwellReserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Liam Le Blanc
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Tom RodwellReserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Thomas Fletcher
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Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Taylor LosaluReserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Salesi Ataata
Roosters Ins
- Robert Toia
- Taylor Losalu
- Tom Rodwell
Rabbitohs Ins
- Latrell Siegwalt
- Liam Le Blanc
- Salesi Ataata
- Thomas Fletcher
Roosters Outs
Rabbitohs Ins
- Ashton Ward
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Todd Smith
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won five of their last six games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston requires two tries to break the all-time premiership tryscoring record.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored nine tries in his last six games at Allianz Stadium.
- Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray has scored three tries in three games against the Roosters.
- Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton will play his 200th NRL game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
