Rabbitohs v Knights: Tallis gets green light; Manuleleua's miracle
The Rabbitohs are back in the finals for the first time since 2022 and riding high after a big win over the Roosters and the emotion of Jai Arrow's 100th game celebrations.
With Latrell Mitchell getting through a full 80 minutes against the Roosters and looking in ominous form, the Bunnies are primed for a huge performance in front of their home fans.
After sitting fourth with eight rounds to play, the Knights won just three of their final eight games to finish seventh as injuries and suspension took a toll.
The Knights have done a remarkable job to turn their fortunes around and finishing last in 2025 and they will be banking on the brilliance of Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Fletcher Sharpe to keep the dream alive for another week.
The two meetings between these sides during the regular season produced a total of 130 points with the Knights getting home 42-38 in Round 9 before the Rabbitohs turned the tables 26-24 in Round 19.
A tighter contest can be expected in the pressure cooker atmosphere of a sudden-death final but there's enough attacking weapons on both sides to ensure an entertaining night for fans at Allianz Stadium.
Match: Rabbitohs v Knights
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
6th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Rabbitohs: Gun back-rower Tallis Duncan returns after sitting out the Roosters game due to hamstring tightness so Adam Elliott reverts to the bench and fills the void left by Euan Aitken (scapula). After being an unused reserve last week, Matt Dufty has won back the No.1 jersey from Jye Gray, who goes to the bench.
Knights: Winger Dom Young and back-rower Tyson Frizell return from suspension while hooker Phoenix Crossland (knee) is also back to bolster Justin Holbrook's squad for the sudden-death showdown. A massive boost in the pack with edge forward Francis Manuleleua named to play despite dislocating his elbow just a fortnight ago against the Warriors. The season-ending shoulder injury to Trey Mooney brings Cody Hopwood into the starting side at prop. Fletcher Hunt and Harrison Graham slide to bench after starting in Round 26.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Matthew DuftyFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell MitchellCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack WightonCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell GrahamWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jayden SullivanHalfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon KoloamatangiProp for Knights is number 10 Cody Hopwood
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jye GrayInterchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan HubnerInterchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean KeppieInterchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jamie HumphreysInterchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Adam ElliottInterchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Latrell SiegwaltInterchange for Knights is number 19 Toby Winter
Reserves
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Liam Le BlancReserve for Knights is number 20 Kyle McCarthy
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Talanoa PenitaniReserve for Knights is number 21 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Peter MamouzelosReserve for Knights is number 22 Diesel Hagan
Rabbitohs Ins
- Liam Le Blanc
- Peter Mamouzelos
- Talanoa Penitani
- Tallis Duncan
Knights Ins
- Dominic Young
- Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
- Kyle McCarthy
- Phoenix Crossland
- Tyson Frizell
Rabbitohs Outs
- Euan Aitken
- Jai Arrow
Knights Ins
- Jacob Saifiti
- Trey Mooney
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won both of their finals matches played at Allianz Stadium.
- The Knights have won four of their last five games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs centre Latrell Mitchell has an 80 per cent winning record in finals football.
- Knights winger Greg Marzhew requires one try to equal the club’s record for most tries in a season.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 17 tries in 11 games against the Knights.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
