Emotions will run high at Allianz Stadium as the game's oldest rivals square off against the backdrop of Jai Arrow's 100th game as a Rabbitoh.
With the Roosters needing to get back on track after consecutive losses and the Rabbitohs looking to lock in a home final in week one, there's plenty at stake in the 237th meeting between the foundation clubs.
A massive crowd will be on hand to support Arrow as he again leads the Bunnies out for his milestone match and they will then settle back into their seats for an intriguing showdown on the eve of the finals.
The injury to Sam Walker is a massive blow but the presence of premiership winner and 375-gamer Daly Cherry-Evans certainly softens the blow for the Roosters heading into the finals although DCE will sit this one out along with a number of his teammates.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 27 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
4th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Rabbitohs: No late changes for the Bunnies with Latrell Siegwalt the fresh reserve to join the bench after Jai Arrow has his moment in game No.100. Latrell Mitchell moves into the starting side at centre with Tallis Duncan being rested after feeling some hamstring tightness after the Titans game. Duncan is expected to be good to go for week one of the finals. Arrow has been named at five-eighth with Cody Walker to come off the interchange after the kick-off. Jye Gray gets a run at fullback with Matt Dufty on the bench. A win would guarantee Souths a home elimination final.
Roosters: Taylor Losalu has been promoted to the starting side 90 minutes before kick-off with Lindsay Collins dropping out of the team. James Tedesco, Billy Smith, Rob Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Naufahu Whyte, Hugo Savala, Reece Robson and Siua Wong are in cotton wool ahead of a qualifying final in week one. Veteran winger Daniel Tupou returns after five games out with a shoulder injury but halfback Sam Walker's season appears over after ankle surgery. The bench includes three potential debutants in Aston Warwick, Lui Lee, Jake Elliott and Hayden Barton.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 27 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye GrayFullback for Roosters is number 1 Cody Ramsey
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell MitchellCentre for Roosters is number 3 Fetalaiga Pauga
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack WightonCentre for Roosters is number 4 Tommy Talau
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell GrahamWinger for Roosters is number 5 Rex Bassingthwaighte
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 23 Jai ArrowFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Reece Foley
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jayden SullivanHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Toby Rodwell
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Roosters is number 8 Spencer Leniu
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Roosters is number 9 Benaiah Ioelu
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon KoloamatangiProp for Roosters is number 15 Taylor Losalu
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Salesi Foketi
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Adam Elliott2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Egan Butcher
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Roosters is number 13 Connor Watson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Tom Rodwell
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan HubnerInterchange for Roosters is number 16 De La Salle Va'a
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean KeppieInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Aston Warwick
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jamie HumphreysInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Hayden Barton
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Euan Aitken
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 14 Matthew DuftyReserve for Roosters is number 18 Jake Elliott
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 19 Latrell SiegwaltReserve for Roosters is number 20 Lui Lee
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs will confirm a home elimination final if they defeat the Roosters.
- The Roosters have won six of their last seven games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 10 tries in his last nine games at Allianz Stadium.
- The Roosters have only a 50 per cent winning record without Sam Walker (2024-26).
- Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has the chance to bring up his 600th victory at NRL level.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
