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
5th Position
away Team
Raiders
15th Position
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Team News
Rabbitohs: Kiwi hooker Brandon Smith has overcome a calf injury suffered in the Pre-Season Challenge and lines up for his first game. Bronson Garlick dropped out when the squad was finalised 90 minutes before kick-off, with the six-man interchange comprising of Peter Mamouzelos, Lachlan Hubner, Sean Keppie, Liam Le Blanc, Jayden Sullivan and Edward Kosi.
Raiders: Ricky Stuart has made mass changes to his forward pack before kick-off, with Josh Papali'i, Noah Martin and Corey Horsburgh dropping to the interchange. Ata Mariota shifts from the bench into the frontrow, with Zac Hosking starting in the secondrow and Morgan Smithies at lock. The loss of Xavier Savage to an ankle injury sees Jed Stuart recalled for his first NRL action of the season. Scans have cleared Savage of any fractures but he has a syndesmosis injury which will keep him out for eight weeks. Joe Roddy and Daine Laurie take over from Chevy Stewart and Matt Timoko on the extended bench. Jayden Brailey is the other player on the interchange. The Raiders have won five from five in Perth but have not played in the west since 1997.
Match: Rabbitohs v Raiders
Round 6 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Raiders
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 10 Joseph Tapine
-
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 16 Ata Mariota
-
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 15 Zac Hosking
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Raiders is number 17 Morgan Smithies
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter MamouzelosInterchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan HubnerInterchange for Raiders is number 12 Noah Martin
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean KeppieInterchange for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Jayden SullivanInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Jayden Brailey
Reserves
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam Le BlancReserve for Raiders is number 18 Daine Laurie
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Edward KosiReserve for Raiders is number 19 Joe Roddy
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
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.
