Rabbitohs v Broncos: Marshall at five-eighth; Pangai to start
The Rabbitohs coasted to their third straight win with a Good Friday shut-out of the Bulldogs while the Broncos' were shown a clean pair of heels by Ryan Papenhuyzen and the Storm.
Souths barely got out of second gear in downing the Dogs 38-0 and the fact two regular starters are suspended for this one will give coach Wayne Bennett a chance to rotate through some of his squad in what could turn out to be a positive as the season wears on.
This will be the Bunnies' third straight game at Stadium Australia (though they were the away team against Canterbury) as they hunt a fourth consecutive win.
Brisbane's morale-boosting round three win over the battling Bulldogs seemed to carry over into the start of the Storm game as they scored an early try and arguably had the best of the opening 20 minutes.
However, a burst of four tries in 11 minutes from Melbourne custodian Ryan Papenhuyzen effectively ended the contest before half time leaving Brisbane once again struggling for answers.
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 5 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
3rd Position
away Team
Broncos
12th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: The Rabbitohs will line up 1-17 with Steven Marsters omitted an hour before kick-off and Hame Sele to be the 18th man.
Benji Marshall has taken the No.6 jersey in place of the suspended Cody Walker while Jacob Host will come into the back row for Keaon Koloamatangi (also suspended). Utility Dean Hawkins will debut off the interchange.
Winger Jaxson Paulo and halfback Troy Dargan were omitted 24 hours ahead of kick-off.
The Rabbitohs have won three of their past four games against the Broncos.
Broncos: The Broncos will line up 1-17. Herbie Farnworth is out with shoulder soreness with Richie Kennar coming into the centres. Patrick Carrigan is out suspended, with Tevita Pangai jnr named to start at lock. John Asiata comes into the interchange bench in the 20-man squad named by Kevin Walters.
Corey Paix and Jesse Arthars were the first players to be omitted from the squad on Wednesday. Rhys Kennedy were cut an hour before game time. Ethan Bullemor is the 18th man for the Broncos.
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 5 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell MitchellFullback for Broncos is number 1 Jamayne Isaako
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Broncos is number 2 Xavier Coates
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Broncos is number 3 Richard Kennar
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Broncos is number 4 Tesi Niu
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Josh MansourWinger for Broncos is number 5 David Mead
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Benji MarshallFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Thomas BurgessProp for Broncos is number 8 Matthew Lodge
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Tevita TatolaProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jacob Host2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jaydn Su'a2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Broncos is number 13 Tevita Pangai Junior
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Dean HawkinsInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Brodie Croft
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark NichollsInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Thomas Flegler
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Patrick MagoInterchange for Broncos is number 16 John Asiata
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jai ArrowInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Ben Te'o
Reserves
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 18 Hame SeleReserve for Broncos is number 18 Ethan Bullemor
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Latrell Mitchell v Jamayne Isaako: In a strong field, Mitchell has been arguably the Bunnies' best so far this year while Isaako was just about the best player on the field in Brisbane's only win so far of 2021.
Mitchell has been powerful and heavily-involved so far this year with three tries and five try assists in four games and an average 150 metres per week. He has yet to go a match without a try assist.
At his best, Isaako's dazzling footwork can turn a match but so far we've seen it just once in four games as he produced a try and an assist with 202 metres against Canterbury.
Stat attack
The Broncos are actually making over 100 more metres per week then the Rabbitohs through four rounds (1718 to 1608) but it is their inability to stop their opposition from marching downfield that is really hurting them. After four rounds the Broncos are conceding 1804 metres per game versus just 1400 per week conceded by Souths – that difference of 400 metres defensively could be telling on Thursday night.
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