The game's oldest rivalry is reignited on Friday night as the Roosters attempt to bounce back from a poor performance in Auckland and the Rabbitohs look to start a season 2-0 for just the second time since 2019.
Another chapter will be written in the Book of Feuds as Alex Johnston chases his place in history needing one try to equal Ken Irvine's all-time record and two tries to stand alone at the top of the mountain.
Then there's Daly Cherry-Evans in his second game as a Rooster looking to put an inauspicious club debut against the Warriors behind him.2
The halves is an area the Roosters look to hold a clear edge with DCE and Sam Walker bound to be better for their first run together while the Bunnies are missing Ashton Ward (ankle) and Jamie Humphreys (suspended).
The last time they met in Round 27 last year it was the Roosters winning 36-6 but the Rabbitohs are a very different proposition with Latrell Mitchell and Campbell Graham back on deck and a rampaging David Fifita adding a new dimension to their attack.
Team News
Roosters: Rob Toia has overcome a foot injury and comes in at centre while Siua Wong has been named to start in the back row in place of Nat Butcher, who goes to the bench. Egan Butcher is also named to start at lock and Blake Steep moves to the bench. Cody Ramsey and Junior Pauga are the No.18 and 19.
Rabbitohs: The loss of Ashton Ward to an ankle injury brings Jayden Sullivan in at halfback with Sean Keppie the new man on the bench. Latrell Siegwalt is the No.18 with Moala Graham-Taufa again in No.19.
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won five of their last six games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston requires two tries to break the all-time premiership tryscoring record.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored nine tries in his last six games at Allianz Stadium.
- Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray has scored three tries in three games against the Roosters.
- Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton will play his 200th NRL game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
