Rabbitohs v Broncos: Knight to start; Lodge on bench
Both these sides produced improved performances last week but only one came away victorious, the Rabbitohs remaining in touch with the top eight while Brisbane are still striving to end their horror form slump.
The Broncos have now lost nine of their past 10 matches, letting a lead slip through their fingers late in last week's clash with Cronulla. Despite the result they showed plenty of promise with Jake Turpin back in the No.9 jersey and Darius Boyd at fullback, while young centres Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth both impressed.
Souths, meanwhile, kicked off Indigenous Round in style with a win over the Dragons despite losing halfback Adam Reynolds early to a shoulder injury. Fittingly Indigenous trio Cody Walker, Alex Johnston and Latrell Mitchell scored all of the Rabbitohs' points in that match, with Walker starring as the team's chief playmaker in the absence of Reynolds.
The Bunnies have only beaten Brisbane nine times in 32 matches in the NRL era but will start favourites for this one.
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 13 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
7th Position
away Team
Broncos
15th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: Jaydn Su'A was suspended at the judiciary on Tuesday night, with Liam Knight to start in the second row. Jack Johns was initially named as Su'A's replacement but will now come off the bench. Kurt Dillon and Corey Allan were cut from the reserves an hour prior to kick-off, while Troy Dargan was omitted from the squad 24 hours before kick-off.
Broncos: Matt Lodge has been elevated from the reserves to the bench, with Rhys Kennedy dropped. David Fifita is good to make his long-awaited injury return in the back row. Brodie Croft returns in the halves, Joe Ofahengaue goes to the bench and Ethan Bullemor drops out of the 17. Jesse Arthars was the other game-day omission.
Cory Paix and Ethan Bullemor dropped off the extended bench on Friday night.
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 13 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell MitchellFullback for Broncos is number 1 Darius Boyd
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Broncos is number 2 Richard Kennar
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell GrahamCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Dane GagaiCentre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Brodie Croft
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas BurgessProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Bayley Sironen2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 David Fifita
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 15 Liam Knight2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Mark NichollsInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Issac Luke
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Patrick MagoInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Joe Ofahengaue
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Keaon KoloamatangiInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Ben Te'o
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Jack JohnsInterchange for Broncos is number 20 Matthew Lodge
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Latrell Mitchell v Darius Boyd. The Rabbitohs fullback enjoyed a night out against the Dragons, scoring a try and having a major impact on the result. Boyd, meanwhile, returned to Brisbane's No.1 jersey against the Sharks and made a statement with four try assists.
Stat Attack
It may be hard to believe now but at one point this season the Broncos were equal league-leaders, following their round two victory over the Rabbitohs (immediately before the NRL went on a COVID-19-enforced hiatus).
Kotoni Staggs scored a hat-trick in that match but, perhaps more importantly, Brisbane completed 85% of their sets, something they've only done twice since then – in a 20-18 loss to Manly (in which they blew an early 18-0 lead) and in last week's loss to the Sharks.
