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The longest rivalry in Australian rugby league will be on again when the third round of the NRL season gets under way.

There will be no love lost when the Roosters and Rabbitohs - who share a history going back to the premiership's foundation year of 1908 - clash in a Friday night Telstra Premiership blockbuster.

Each team has used the break to get over a few niggling injuries and both should be close to full strength for this fixture.

Adding to the intrigue, it will be Latrell Mitchell's first game against the Roosters since his switch to Souths in the off-season.

The Rundown

Team news

Roosters: A late switch for the premiers with Lindsay Collins moving into the starting side and Isaac Liu going to the bench. Siosiua Taukeiaho (hamstring) is out, with he and Lachlan Lam dropping off the reserves list on Thursday night. Ryan Hall and Poasa Faamausili were omitted an hour before kick-off. Mitchell Aubusson is out for personal reasons. The Roosters won their only game at Bankwest Stadium (24-16 v Wests Tigers in 2019).

Rabbitohs: A late change an hour before kick-off with Tom Amone joining the bench and Patrick Mago dropping out. Keaon Koloamatangi was the other player omitted an hour before kick-off. Bryson Goodwin and James Roberts were trimmed from the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off. Cody Walker has been suspended for two rounds, while Alex Johnston and Troy Dargan join the backline. Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has won four of his past five games against the Roosters.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Dane Gagai
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell Graham
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Braidon Burns
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brett Morris
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Alex Johnston
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
    Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Troy Dargan
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
    Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Friend
    Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
  • Prop for Roosters is number 17 Lindsay Collins
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Boyd Cordner
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'a
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Angus Crichton
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Cameron Murray
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
    Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Liam Knight

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 10 Isaac Liu
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Mark Nicholls
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sam Verrills
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Ethan Lowe
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Bayley Sironen
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Tom Amone

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Peter Gough
  • Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell

Last updated:

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