Sunday Session: Cowboys v Rabbitohs

40 min: Clifford has kicked a two-point field goal from beyond the 40m mark. Cowboys 18 Rabbitohs 6 

35 min: A Drinkwater half break and flick pass has put Tom Chester over to extend the Cowboys lead before halftime. Clifford converted. Cowboys 16 Rabbitohs 6 

27 min: Clifford intercepted a pass from Rabbitohs halfback Ashton Ward but was run down by Penitani. However, Mahoney crashed over on the next tackle. Clifford converted the try. Cowboys 10 Rabbitohs 6.

22 min: The Cowboys forced a goal line drop out after Matt Dufty was tackled on his tryline but a captain's challenge changed the decision to a Rabbitohs penalty for a mid-air tackle by Clifford.

20 min: Seigwalt puts the Rabbitohs ahead with a penalty goal after a high shot by Drinkwater on veteran playmaker Cody Walker. Rabbitohs 6 Cowboys 4.

16 min: Penitani, the younger brother of NRLW stars Tiana and Natasha, has scored in his NRL debut after receiving a long cut out pass from Matt Dufty and powering over the tryline. France World Cup hopeful Latrell Seigwalt missed the conversion. Cowboys 4 Rabbitohs 4.

14 min: Cowboys secondrower Heilum Luki has been denied a try for a double-movement after being tackled just short by Rabbitohs hooker Peter Mamouzelos. 

13 min: Cowboys hooker Reed Mahoney has kicked a 40/20 on the third tackle.

8 min: Rabbitohs rookie Talanoa Penitani almost scored on his first touch of the ball in the NRL but was stopped short of the Cowboys line.

5 min: PNG international Zac Laybutt has opened the scoring for the Cowboys after fullback Scott Drinkwater created space for the winger by holding up a long pass. Jake Clifford missed the sideline conversion. Cowboys 4-0.

3 min: Kangaroos forward Keaon Koloamatangi has conceded the first error of the game after losing the ball in a tackle by Tom Chester.

Kickoff: Liam Sutton fields the kick off and sends Jason Taumalolo for the first hit-up of the match.

Team updates

Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo returns after a Magic Round rest to start at lock with Reuben Cotter in Maroons camp. Taumalolo and Scott Drinkwater are co-captains this week. Robert Derby comes in on the wing for his first NRL game of 2026 in place of Braidon Burns, who is expected to miss 1-2 games with a hamstring injury. Last week's debutants Liam Sutton and Xavier Kerrisk retain their spots. Kai O'Donnell dropped off the interchange in Saturday's 24-hour update with Wiremu Greig added to the six-man bench.

Rabbitohs: Matt Dufty will make his 100th NRL appearance at fullback, with Jye Gray shifting to the interchange.Tryscoring machine Alex Johnston is on track to return from a knee injury but Latrell Mitchell (back) and Campbell Graham (calf are sidelined. Tallis Duncan moves to the centres alongside Latrell Siegwalt while Talanoa Penitani comes in on the wing for his NRL debut. Peter Mamouzelos earns a recall at hooker after two games in NSW Cup. Jamie Humphreys has been named to return from a knee injury on the bench. 

Stat attack

• The Cowboys have won their last three games against the Rabbitohs.
• The Rabbitohs are undefeated in two games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
• Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored six tries in his last seven games.
• Rabbitoh Matt Dufty will make his 100th NRL appearance.
• Cowboys coach Todd Payten will coach his 150th NRL game.