NRL 2024, preview, South Sydney Rabbitohs v Penrith Panthers

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 2 May 2024, 07:05 PM

The Penrith Panthers are chasing their third-straight victory as they return to NSW for a clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs

Ivan Cleary's side held on for a gritty 26-20 win over the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night, the Panthers defending their way to victory.

Now they will take on a desperate Rabbitohs squad at Accor Stadium.

South Sydney suffered a demoralising 54-20 loss to the Melbourne Storm on ANZAC Day and now have a new interim head coach in Ben Hornby, following the club parting ways with Jason Demetriou.

The Rabbitohs have so far won just one game this season, a 20-16 victory over the Bulldogs on Good Friday.

Fullback Jye Gray has emerged as an X-factor and is likely to provide Souths with an attacking spark.

The Rabbitohs will be without Taane Milne who took the early guilty plea for a Grade Three Dangerous Contact charge and will miss the next two weeks.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Rabbitohs v Panthers

Team News

Rabbitohs: No late changes after a big shuffle on Wednesday saw Jacob Gagai ruled out and Isaiah Tass shift to the wing. Michael Chee-Kam moves from back row to centre, with Keaon Koloamatangi named in the second row after initially being selected at prop. Jai Arrow now starts with Sean Keppie the new face on the bench.

Panthers: A late change on game day sees Moses Leota shift to the bench and Lindsay Smith named to start at prop. Leota returned to the side this week after missing last week's win over the Cowboys due to a shoulder injury. The late switch comes after Nathan Cleary was ruled out as a precautionary measure (hamstring) on Wednesday with Brad Schneider coming in at halfback. Jack Cole also joins the bench for the defending premiers, who welcome Sunia Turuva back on the wing.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Thursday 2 May

Full Time

Rabbitohs

Panthers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 4 Isaiah Tass

Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack Wighton

Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 11 Michael Chee Kam

Centre for Panthers is number 4 Taylan May
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson

Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker

Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Dean Hawkins

Halfback for Panthers is number 20 Brad Schneider

Forwards

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Davvy Moale

Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook

Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jai Arrow

Prop for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 8 Keaon Koloamatangi

2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host

2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos

Interchange for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva Havili

Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas Burgess

Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik Geyer
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Sean Keppie

Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Jack Cole