Rabbitohs v Roosters: Murray starts; Crichton benched
The first meeting between Latrell Mitchell and Joey Manu since last year's fiery encounter sees the Rabbitohs desperately hunting their first win of the season against a Roosters side that bounced back to form in round two.
After a sluggish round one loss to the Knights, the Tricolours were impressive in disposing of Manly last week while the Bunnies staged a stunning fightback in Melbourne's back yard to all-but steal what would have been a thrilling win.
Mitchell's long-range field goal was the high point of that dramatic finish and all eyes will be on the Souths superstar once again, with his knack of getting under the skin of his former Roosters teammates.
The Roosters have publicly admitted they need to not get caught up in the emotion of the occasion, in what is sure to be another enthralling chapter in rugby league's longest-running rivalry.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Rabbitohs v Roosters
The Rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: The Rabbitohs are 1-17 with no late changes. Davvy Moale was the last man cut an hour before kick-off and Josh Mansour is 18th man.
Taane Milne has been named at centre with Jaxson Paulo on the wing, after the pair switched mid-game last week. Skipper Cam Murray has been named to start after coming off the bench behind Siliva Havili in round two.
Roosters: A late switch for the Roosters with Drew Hutchison starting the game at hooker and Connor Watson reverting to the bench. Lachlan Lam is 18th man and Daniel Suluka-Fifita was omitted an hour before kick-off.
Back-rower Angus Crichton has been moved to the bench with Nat Butcher named in the run-on side. Sitili Tupouniua suffered a head knock and failed his HIA against Manly but will play while Joey Manu (knee) is also good to go.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 3 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell MitchellFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane MilneCentre for Roosters is number 3 Paul Momirovski
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Roosters is number 5 Billy Smith
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sam Walker
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay Collins
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Mark NichollsProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jacob HostInterchange for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva HaviliInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher Baker
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas BurgessInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Angus Crichton
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam KnightInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Reserves
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Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Josh MansourReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Lachlan Lam
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Sam Walker v Lachlan Ilias: Two young halfbacks who know what it's like to step into enourmous shoes: Walker into those of Cooper Cronk and Ilias, Adam Reynolds. The Souths rookie is two years the senior of Roosters teen sensation Walker, who did plenty of growing up in a rugby leauge sense last year. But for Souths to be a force they need Ilias to become the anchor between Origin trio Damien Cook, Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell.
Stat attack
Plenty are questioning the form of mercurial Souths pivot Cody Walker over the opening two rounds but you can't question his commitment; the five-eighth leads the competition for line-engaged runs with 29 in two games.
