Rabbitohs v Raiders: Brandon's back in business; Stuart steps up
The Rabbitohs are sitting pretty in third position and will fancy their chances of taking down last year's minor premiers in the opening game of Saturday's double-header at Perth's Optus Stadium.
With the Perth Bears joining the NRL in 2027 this trip west takes on added significance as the Rabbitohs, Raiders, Sharks and Roosters showcase their skills at one of the country's finest stadiums.
Wayne Bennett's men are riding high after taking down the Bulldogs on Good Friday and with their big guns firing they look to be well on course for a first finals appearance since 2022.
The Raiders have lost four straight since a golden point win over the Sea Eagles in Round 1 and will look to Joe Tapine, Hudson Young and Josh Papalii to lay the platform for a morale-boosting win to put their season back on track.
Match: Rabbitohs v Raiders
Round 6 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
away Team
Raiders
16th Position
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Rabbitohs: The Bunnies head to Perth bolstered by the return of Kiwi hooker Brandon Smith from a calf injury suffered in the Pre-Season Challenge. Bronson Garlick moves to the interchange alongside Peter Mamouzelos, Lachlan Hubner and Sean Keppie, the three bench players who saw game time against the Bulldogs as Wayne Bennett used just 16 players.
Raiders: After three games in NSW Cup, Jed Stuart is set for his first NRL action of the season, taking over from Xavier Savage (leg). Changes on the extended bench with Joe Roddy and Daine Laurie taking over from Chevy Stewart and Matt Timoko.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye GrayFullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell MitchellCentre for Raiders is number 3 Simi Sasagi
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack WightonCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell GrahamWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jed Stuart
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie HumphreysHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon KoloamatangiProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Noah Martin
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter MamouzelosInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Jayden Brailey
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan HubnerInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Zac Hosking
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean KeppieInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam Le BlancInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Morgan Smithies
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Bronson GarlickInterchange for Raiders is number 18 Daine Laurie
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Jayden SullivanInterchange for Raiders is number 19 Joe Roddy
Reserves
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Edward KosiReserve for Raiders is number 20 Owen Pattie
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Thomas FletcherReserve for Raiders is number 21 Matthew Timoko
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Latrell SiegwaltReserve for Raiders is number 22 Chevy Stewart
Rabbitohs Ins
- Brandon Smith
- Edward Kosi
- Latrell Siegwalt
- Thomas Fletcher
Raiders Ins
- Daine Laurie
- Jed Stuart
- Joe Roddy
- Owen Pattie
Rabbitohs Outs
- Moala Graham-Taufa
Raiders Ins
- Xavier Savage
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have lost their last five games in Perth.
- The Raiders have won six of their last seven games against the Rabbitohs.
- Alex Johnston (five) and Latrell Mitchell (five) have scored over half of the Rabbitohs’ 19 tries.
- The Raiders have won five from five in Perth but have not played in the west since 1997.
- The Rabbitohs are aiming for a 4-1 start to the season for the fourth time in five years under coach Wayne Bennett.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
