It's Anthony Seibold's dynamic forwards against Wayne Bennett's all-star backline in the latest instalment of a burgeoning rivalry between Brisbane and South Sydney.
Coach Seibold comes up against his former club with his team in good stead. Led by young giants Payne Haas and David Fifita, the Broncos kicked clear of the Cowboys last week to open their account.
Meanwhile, master mentor Bennett eased fullback Latrell Mitchell into his Rabbitohs debut as the men in cardinal and myrtle held off the fast-finishing Sharks.
Match: Broncos v Rabbitohs
Round 2 -
home Team
Broncos
5th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
8th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Rundown
Team news
Broncos: The four-week suspension handed to Tevita Pangai opens the door for Jamil Hopoate to move into the starting side in just his second NRL game. Hopoate's bench place is taken by 20-year-old prop Ethan Bullemor, who is line for his NRL debut. Corey Oates has been named despite missing training on Monday with gastroenteritis but skipper Alex Glenn (hamstring) looks set to miss another week. Brodie Croft and Pat Carrigan are one-for-one as co-captains and will take charge again in Glenn's absence. Tom Dearden and Pride Petterson-Robati were pruned from the squad an hour before kick-off, while Xavier Coates and Tesi Niu were omitted from the 21-man squad on Thursday.
Rabbitohs: Wayne Bennett has named the same 17 which took care of the Sharks in round one. Braidon Burns is good to go after taking an early guilty plea for a dangerous throw on Jesse Ramien. Bayley Sironen and Troy Dargen were the last players cut before kick-off, while Bryson Goodwin and Keaon Koloamatangi dropped off the reserves list on Thursday.
Match: Broncos v Rabbitohs
Round 2 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Jamayne IsaakoFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 James Roberts
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Darius BoydCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Braidon Burns
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse ArtharsWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony MilfordFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie CroftHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake TurpinHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'a
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jamil Hopoate2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Cameron Murray
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Liam Knight
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Herbie FarnworthInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Mark Nicholls
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Andrew McCulloughInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Ethan Lowe
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Rhys KennedyInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Hame Sele
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Alex Johnston
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Brodie Croft v Adam Reynolds. Croft was impressive on Broncos debut, showing a calm head to direct the side around the park. Rival halfback Reynolds, meanwhile, kicked superbly as usual for Souths and took on the captaincy well.
Where it'll be won and lost
Last week Cronulla had some success down the Rabbitohs' left edge where Cody Walker, Braidon Burns and Campbell Graham defended. It could be an area for Brisbane to target. Souths will have to match motors with the Broncos pack. Liam Knight and Tevita Tatola stood up in round one and must do it again.
Brett Kimmorley says
Brisbane won last week and they had a couple of amazing individual performers, but they're probably going to miss Tevita Pangai jnr a lot. South Sydney will definitely have to control David Fifita – he was unbelievable. I saw some good signs from the Rabbitohs including a decent completion rate and I think they'll improve. Rabbitohs by 4.
Last Time They Met: Broncos v Rabbitohs - Round 23, 2019
Stat Attack
Adam Reynolds has shot out to an early lead in the point-scoring stakes after collecting 14 from five goals and a try in round one. Broncos fullback Jamayne Isaako (12) is second.
And another thing…
There was plenty of interest when these teams squared off last year because of the Bennett v Seibold factor. You can be sure Seibold will want to make amends in 2020 after the Bunnies prevailed 38-6 at home and 22-20 on Brisbane's home turf.
