Rabbitohs v Dragons: Taafe new No.1, mass changes; Hunt's season over
The Rabbitohs rode an emotional rollercoaster last weekend - they put arch-rivals the Roosters to the sword but lost champion fullback Latrell Mitchell for the rest of the season due to suspension.
If the Rabbitohs are to challenge for the title they will need to move on quickly from the loss of Mitchell and work out a game plan to challenge the likes of Melbourne, Penrith and Manly.
The Dragons, meanwhile, slumped to a club record-equalling seventh loss on the trot against the Cowboys and are running low on motivation as they limp to the finish line.
Young guns Jayden Sullivan, Talatau Amone and Tyrell Sloan enjoyed some great moments in Rockhampton and if there is a silver lining for the Red V faithful it's the emergence of this talented trio.
Match: Rabbitohs v Dragons
Round 25 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
3rd Position
away Team
Dragons
11th Position
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
The rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: Jed Cartwright came into the starting side at prop an hour before kick-off with Patrick Mago reverting to the bench.
Wayne Bennett has chosen to rest a host of stars including Adam Reynolds, Cody Walker, Damien Cook, Dane Gagai, Thomas Burgess and Cameron Murray.
Walker and Alex Johnston were omitted 24 hours before the match. Murray was the last man cut an hour before kick-off and Jai Arrow is 18th man.
The Rabbitohs have won their past six games against the Dragons.
Dragons: The Dragons will line up 1-17 with no late changes as they look to avoid a club record eight consecutive losses.
Zac Lomax suffered another fracture to his thumb and will miss the match.
Jackson Ford and Adam Clune were left out on the eve of the match. Cody Ramsey was the last man cut on game day and Kaide Ellis is 18th man.
Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa has scored 11 tries in his past 11 games.
Match: Rabbitohs v Dragons
Round 25 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Blake TaaffeFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Taane MilneWinger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Braidon BurnsCentre for Dragons is number 3 Jack Bird
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Dragons is number 4 Gerard Beale
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Benji MarshallFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Corey Norman
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Dragons is number 8 Blake Lawrie
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Peter MamouzelosHooker for Dragons is number 9 Jayden Sullivan
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 16 Jed CartwrightProp for Dragons is number 10 Josh McGuire
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Billy Burns
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Mark NichollsLock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 10 Patrick MagoInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Freddy Lussick
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Dean HawkinsInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Tyrell Fuimaono
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tautau MogaInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Daniel Alvaro
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Poasa Faamausili
Reserves
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 18 Jai ArrowReserve for Dragons is number 21 Kaide Ellis
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Braidon Burns v Jack Bird: The Rabbitohs back-up has shown flashes but a combination of injury woes and the strong form of first-choice centres Gagai and Graham have prevented him nailing down a starting spot. Here he gets his chance to shine against a quality centre with a game based around strong carries and powerful defence who will leave nothing in the tank. Bird, another frequent visitor to the casualty ward, has enjoyed a strong season at the Dragons after enduring a horror injury run at Brisbane.
Stat attack
The Rabbitohs lead the NRL in try assists with 104 for the season, with five-eighth Cody Walker on top of the heap with 33. The Dragons have produced just 64 try assists for the season and their leading man Ben Hunt (13 in 15 games) is gone for the year, leaving them to rely heavily on the enigmatic Corey Norman and rookies Talatau Amone and Jayden Sullivan.
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