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Considering the likelihood that the Rabbitohs and Roosters will meet again during the upcoming finals, it will be interesting to see what approach the teams take.

Neither will want to give any trick plays away, but both would like nothing more than to head into the post-season with a win over the fierce rival under the belt.

The Roosters scored a well-deserved 12-4 win when the two sides met in the 2018 preliminary final before the Rabbitohs scored a 26-16 win in the opening week of the 2019 season.

With both sides boasting rep players as far as the eye can see, another chapter in the NRL's greatest rivalry is looming large.

The Rundown

Team news

Rabbitohs: Souths are 1-17, with Bayley Sironen and Mawene Hiroti dropping off the reserves list. Connor Tracey and Kurt Dillon were omitted 24 hours before kick-off. The Rabbitohs are aiming for two regular-season wins against the Roosters for the first time since 2009.

Roosters: Luke Keary is out, with Drew Hutchison to start in the halves, while Brett Morris and Mitch Aubusson dropped out of the side on Wednesday night. They are replaced in the starting side by rookie winger Billy Smith for his second NRL game and former Rabbitoh Angus Crichton. Sitili Tupouniua comes into the 17, Nat Butcher starts at lock and Victor Radley will come off the bench. Boyd Cordner (calf) and Cooper Cronk (eye) return from injury.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Adam Doueihi
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell Graham
    Centre for Roosters is number 3 Latrell Mitchell
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Corey Allan
    Winger for Roosters is number 18 Billy Smith
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 21 Drew Hutchison
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Cooper Cronk

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Sam Burgess
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Liam Knight
    Prop for Roosters is number 10 Isaac Liu
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 John Sutton
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Boyd Cordner
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 17 Angus Crichton
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
    Lock for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Ethan Lowe
    Interchange for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tom Amone
    Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Lindsay Collins
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Tevita Tatola
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Zane Tetevano
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Mark Nicholls
    Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Sitili Tupouniua

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Chris Butler
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Cameron Murray v Victor Radley. As two members of an impressive young brigade of locks, Murray and Radley have quickly become key members of their respective teams. Murray has an edge as a ball runner while Radley's defence is the equal of anyone in the competition.

For the Rabbitohs to win

Damien Cook's speed out of dummy half sparks many an attacking raid for the Rabbitohs. If Cook is able to get open space in the middle third of the field, the likes of Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds will have room to weave their magic.

For the Roosters to win

When you've got attacking players the calibre of Cronk, Tedesco and Mitchell it's pretty simple - get your forwards to get the ball into good field position and then watch that quartet do what they do best.

Brett Kimmorley says

The Rabbitohs are finding some good form after Wayne Bennett was a little worried about them a few weeks back. They’ve had two pretty big performances built on the back of great discipline and high completion rates. That’s how they’ll challenge the Roosters, who are flying right now. The Roosters have the possibility of getting some big stars back this week. They will want to get everyone back out there before the finals. Roosters by 4

Stat Attack

The Rabbitohs had 10 players run for more than 100 metres in their win over the Warriors. They are highly unlikely to find as many open spaces against the Roosters.

And another thing ...

South Sydney have two players in the top 10 for try assists. While Roosters No.6 Luke Keary is second-best in the NRL in that category, South Sydney have Damien Cook and Cody Walker among what is a great list of attacking players.

Acknowledgement of Country

Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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