Rabbitohs v Dragons: Dufty returns; Halangahu in the mix
Rabbitohs star Keaon Koloamatangi is chasing a win over his future club as South Sydney look to topple the Dragons on Saturday night.
The forward has signed a long-term deal with St George Illawarra from 2027 but his immediate focus is on helping the Rabbitohs rebound from a last-start loss to the Raiders.
Latrell Mitchell almost inspired a stunning comeback at Optus Stadium but it ultimately fell short. South Sydney will look to avoid a similar position this week when they return home to Acor Stadium.
Koloamatangi has laid the platform up front, while Cam Murray has returned to his best form after sitting out most of 2025 with an Achilles injury.
South Sydney have been dealt a blow with David Fifita ruled out, the punishing edge forward to be replaced by Lachlan Hubner in the back row.
St George Illawarra enter the match desperate to secure their first win of the season after a tough start to the year.
There were promising signs in last week's loss to the Sea Eagles but their execution in try-scoring opportunities ultimately let them down.
Halves Kyle Flanagan and Dan Atkinson will look to change that this week, while Jacob Liddle is set to provide an impact off the bench.
Match: Rabbitohs v Dragons
Round 7 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
away Team
Dragons
17th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Rabbitohs: Wayne Bennett has rejigged his forward pack on gameday, with Sean Keppie and Bronson Garlick coming into the starting side, while Keaon Koloamatangi and Lachlan Hubner revert to the interchange. Former Dragon Matt Dufty is set for his first NRL game since Round 12, 2022 after receiving clearance to replace injured fullback Jye Gray in the No.1 jersey. South Sydney have also been dealt a blow with the loss of David Fifita to a hamstring injury. Lachlan Hubner comes into the back row. Latrell Mitchell has scored 12 tries in 10 games at Accor Stadium.
Dragons: A big shakeup on gameday with coach Shane Flanagan adding dynamic hooker Jacob Liddle to the starting side and Damien Cook moving to the bench. Josh Kerr also comes into the starting side at lock, with Hamish Stewart moving to the interchange. Promising young forward Loko Pasifiki Tonga has been added to the six-man bench, while Hame Sele drops out of the squad. Winger Christian Tuipulotu has succumbed to knee soreness so David Fale comes onto the wing in the 24-hour update. The loss of Moses Suli to a fractured eye socket will see Mat Feagai start in the centres for the first time this year, having come off the bench on three occasions. Flanagan could also turn to a crop of youngsters as the Dragons chase their first win of the year, with Jacob Halangahu and Kade Reed listed on the six-man bench.
Match: Rabbitohs v Dragons
Round 7 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Matthew DuftyFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Dragons is number 5 Setu Tu
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell MitchellCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mathew Feagai
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack WightonCentre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell GrahamWinger for Dragons is number 20 David Fale
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie HumphreysHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean KeppieProp for Dragons is number 10 Toby Couchman
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 15 Bronson Garlick2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Dragons is number 17 Josh Kerr
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon KoloamatangiInterchange for Dragons is number 13 Hamish Stewart
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 11 Lachlan HubnerInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter MamouzelosInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Jacob Halangahu
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jayden SullivanInterchange for Dragons is number 21 Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Reserves
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 18 Edward KosiReserve for Dragons is number 18 Hame Sele
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 19 Thomas FletcherReserve for Dragons is number 19 Kade Reed
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won three of their last four games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have lost their last six games at Accor Stadium.
- Rabbitoh Latrell Mitchell has scored 12 tries in 10 games at Accor Stadium.
- Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has scored six tries in six games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston will make his 100th appearance at Accor Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
