Rabbitohs v Broncos: Hubner, Aitken step up; Riki returns
The Broncos have lost five straight and slipped five places on the ladder in a horror stretch that has their premiership defence teetering on the brink.
They head to Accor Stadium in Round 15 with Payne Haas, Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs away on Origin duty and Pat Carrigan and Gehamat Shibasaki on the sideline injured so a massive task awaits the champions if they are to get back on track.
Their opponents Souths have ridden a rollercoaster of their own in the past month with a win over the Sharks in Round 10 followed by losses to the Dolphins, Cowboys and Sea Eagles.
With Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton still out injured and skipper Cameron Murray in camp with the Blues they will look to the experience of Cody Walker, Alex Johnston and Brandon Smith to deliver a much-needed victory.
Both sides have a bye in Round 16 so they will leave it all out there in a bid to kick-start their spluttering campaigns and build some momentum.
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 15 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
5th Position
away Team
Broncos
13th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Rabbitohs: The Bunnies are 1-19 with no late changes. The loss of Campbell Graham (calf) will see Tallis Duncan slide to the centres and Euan Aitken start in the back row. Lachlan Hubner comes in for skipper Cameron Murray, who is in camp with the Blues. Playmakers Jamie Humphreys and Jayden Sullivan have been named on the bench alongside potential debutants John Radel and Dayne Jennings. In a special tribute to Jai Arrow, the Rabbitohs have named him in No.23 this week to honor his retirement.
Broncos: Late changes on game day with Jack Gosiewski sliding to the bench, Xavier Willison moving to prop and Josh Rogers joining the starting side at lock. Phillip Coates has been added to the six-man bench. Jordan Riki makes his return from a foot injury in the back row for Brisbane's first game at Accor Stadium since last year's grand final. Hayze Perham replaces Reece Walsh at fullback and Antonio Verhoeven is set to line up in the centres. The Broncos will wear Jai Arrow's name and Bronco number embroidered above the club badge, with the jerseys to be auctioned off and proceeds going to Jai's family.
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 15 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye GrayFullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayze Perham
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell SiegwaltCentre for Broncos is number 3 Antonio Verhoeven
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Tallis DuncanCentre for Broncos is number 4 Grant Anderson
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Edward KosiWinger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Thomas Duffy
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Ashton WardHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Broncos is number 8 Preston Riki
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon KoloamatangiProp for Broncos is number 13 Xavier Willison
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Euan Aitken2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Lachlan HubnerLock for Broncos is number 19 Josh Rogers
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jamie HumphreysInterchange for Broncos is number 10 Jack Gosiewski
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Jayden SullivanInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Ben Hunt
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 John RadelInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Ben Talty
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Liam Le BlancInterchange for Broncos is number 18 Ezra Mam
Reserves
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 14 Bronson GarlickReserve for Broncos is number 17 Aublix Tawha
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 18 Dayne JenningsReserve for Broncos is number 20 Phillip Coates
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won five of their last six games against the Broncos at Accor Stadium.
- The Broncos play at Accor Stadium for the first time since their 2025 grand final triumph.
- The Broncos have conceded 170 points in five consecutive losses.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 15 tries in his last eight games at Accor Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Secure your seats with $30 Adult tickets, $15 Kids tickets and $75 Family tickets for an unmissable Rabbitohs home game against the Broncos at Accor Stadium. Make it count and support Jai’s Fight against MDN.
