Rabbitohs v Storm: Big three sidelined; Hughes back on deck
South Sydney are out to secure their place in the top-eight when they host a Melbourne side desperate to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Rabbitohs have been up and down throughout much of the season but are one of the most dangerous teams in the competition at their best.
Wayne Bennett's men toppled Newcastle a fortnight ago before a late comeback fell short against the Raiders last week to leave them sitting precariously in seventh on the ladder.
Melbourne have endured plenty of challenges this season and were dealt another blow last week when they lost Will Warbrick to an Achilles rupture in a tight defeat to the Roosters.
Despite this, they remain just four points outside the eight and have the talent to reel off a string of wins in the run to the finals.
Sua Faalogo is one of the most exciting attacking players in the competition, while Harry Grant is the maestro of identifying defensive weaknesses to exploit.
Match: Rabbitohs v Storm
Round 21 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
7th Position
away Team
Storm
12th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Rabbitohs: A late swap, with Bronson Garlick to start at lock, with Lachlan Hubner moving to the bench. Earlier, skipper Cameron Murray (calf), back-rower David Fifita (suspension) and centre Tallis Duncan (hamstring) are all sidelined so there's a major reshuffle required. Lachlan Hubner the new lock, Latrell Siegwalt is back in the centres after playing NSW Cup last week and John Radel has been called into the starting side. Utility Jayden Sullivan returns from concussion on the bench while Bronson Garlick and Thomas Fletcher are the new faces on the six-man bench.
Storm: In a late change, skipper Harry Grant moves to the bench, with Trent Toelau elevated to start as hooker. Gun playmaker Jahrome Hughes missed just one game with a hamstring injury and looks set to return to partner Tyran Wishart in the halves. "He hasn't done much for a couple of weeks so we'll just see how he goes today [Thursday] and we'll go from there," coach Craig Bellamy said of Hughes. The season-ending Achilles injury to Will Warbrick sees Moses Leo come in on the wing after missing the Roosters game due to illness. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour update.
Match: Rabbitohs v Storm
Round 21 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Matthew DuftyFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Storm is number 2 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell SiegwaltCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack WightonCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell GrahamWinger for Storm is number 5 Moses Leo
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Ashton WardHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Storm is number 14 Trent Toelau
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon KoloamatangiProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Euan Aitken2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Cooper Clarke
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 19 John Radel2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Oryn Keeley
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 18 Bronson GarlickLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 13 Lachlan HubnerInterchange for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Liam Le BlancInterchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jamie HumphreysInterchange for Storm is number 17 Jack Hetherington
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 20 Thomas Fletcher
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jayden SullivanReserve for Storm is number 16 Angus Hinchey
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jye GrayReserve for Storm is number 18 Stanley Huen
-
Reserve for Storm is number 19 Manaia Waitere
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won all five games at Accor Stadium this season.
- The Storm have won 12 of their last 15 games against the Rabbitohs.
- The Rabbitohs are aiming for back-to-back wins over the Storm for the first time.
- Storm prop Josh King will make his 200th NRL appearance.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 19 tries in 16 games against the Storm.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
A finals spot is on the line when the Rabbitohs host the Storm at Accor Stadium. Kids tickets are available from just $15, click here to secure your seats today.
