Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers: Humphreys returns; Skelton steps up
Alex Johnston is out to extend his lead as the NRL's all-time leading try scorer as the Rabbitohs travel north to take on the Wests Tigers in Gosford.
The veteran surpassed Ken Irvine when he scored his 213th try last week and has now set his sights on reaching 250 career tries. It's a journey that starts at Polytec Stadium on Saturday night.
For all the celebrations of Johnston's milestone, the Rabbitohs fell to the Roosters in Round 2 and they are desperate to right the ship against a confident Tigers side.
Benji Marshall's squad hit top gear last weekend with a dominant victory over the Cowboys and they're looking to make it two from two this weekend.
The new-look halves pairing of Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi clicked immediately, while Kai Pearce-Paul showed why he was one of the most prized recruits of the summer.
The Englishman is chasing another big game on Saturday night and set to go toe to toe with rampaging Rabbitoh David Fifita.
The Tigers will wear a special jersey to honour Multicultural Round, while South Sydney have a number of events planned to celebrate Johnston's try-scoring achievements.
Match: Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers
Round 3 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
8th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
5th Position
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Rabbitohs: Jamie Humphreys returns from suspension to take over the No.7 jersey with Jayden Sullivan sliding to the bench. Also moving to the bench is Euan Aitken, replaced in the starting back row by Tallis Duncan.
Wests Tigers: The loss of Taylan May (shoulder) sees Jeral Skelton start at centre after an impressive 64 minutes off the extended bench last week. Jock Madden is again named in No.14 and will be hoping for some game time after last week's reshuffle left him on the sideline. Former Warrior and Titan Patrick Herbert has been named in No.19 as he chases a first NRL appearance since 2022.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye GrayFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell MitchellCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Jeral Skelton
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack WightonCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Heamasi Makasini
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell GrahamWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Luke Laulilii
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie HumphreysHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam Doueihi
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Bronson GarlickHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon KoloamatangiProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter MamouzelosInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jock Madden
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Euan AitkenInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean KeppieInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce Hunt
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jayden SullivanInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Lachlan HubnerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tristan Hope
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Moala Graham-TaufaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Patrick Herbert
Reserves
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Thomas FletcherReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Bunty Afoa
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Latrell SiegwaltReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Faaletino Tavana
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Liam Le BlancReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Tony Sukkar
Rabbitohs Ins
- Jamie Humphreys
- Liam Le Blanc
- Thomas Fletcher
Wests Tigers Ins
- Bunty Afoa
- Faaletino Tavana
- Patrick Herbert
- Tony Sukkar
Rabbitohs Outs
Wests Tigers Ins
- Taylan May
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won five of their past six games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have lost their last four games at Polytec Stadium.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 20 tries from 18 games against Wests Tigers.
- Tigers winger Luke Laulilii has scored five tries in his last six NRL games.
- Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker has scored four tries in four games at Polytec Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
