With the finals just a fortnight away the Rabbitohs and Cowboys put their premiership credentials on the line in a mouth-watering showdown at Accor Stadium.
Both sides will have designs on being at this venue on October 2 for the big dance but the first order of business for the Bunnies is to cement a place in the eight after a loss to Penrith left them vulnerable to the late charging Raiders.
The Rabbitohs have a tough finish against the Cowboys and Roosters but they showed in their wins over the Storm (round 19) and Eels (round 22) that their best is certainly good enough to rattle some cages in September.
The Cowboys have enjoyed a stunning renaissance under Todd Payten in 2022 and can put an exclamation mark on a brilliant season by beating last year's grand finalists in the last two rounds.
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The Rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: Tonga international Siliva Havili will start at hooker after Damien Cook was ruled out due to COVID protocols. Michael Chee Kam is the new player to join the bench. Winger Izaac Thompson has also been ruled out with a hamstring injury and will be replaced by Taane Milne. Bench forward Thomas Burgess returns after three games out with a groin injury so Hame Sele moves into the starting side and Daniel Suluka-Fifita drops out. Kodi Nikorima also returns from a hamstring injury on the bench. Greece hooker Peter Mamouzelos is 18th man.
Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater moves to five-eighth to replace Tom Dearden, who has had surgery to repair a ruptured testicle suffered against the Warriors. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is the new fullback and Tom Gilbert joins the bench. Reuben Cotter moves to the interchange in a late swap with Coen Hess, while Jake Granville was named in the final 17, with Griffin Neame dropping out.
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Key match-up
Latrell Mitchell v Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow: In a contest packed with enthralling one-on-one battles, the showdown between one of the form stars of the NRL and one of the fastest could be decisive. Mitchell's return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the Origin series has provided a huge boost for Souths. Tabuai-Fidow started the season as the Cowboys first choice fullback but after suffering an early injury Scott Drinkwater was given his chance and made the position his own. Tabuai-Fidow now has the chance to reclaim it after Drinkwater was shifted to five-eighth in place of the injured Tom Dearden.
Stat Attack
The Cowboys had won just 12 games across the past two seasons on their way to finishing 14th in 2020 and 15th in 2021. They had equalled that tally of 12 wins by Round 16 this season when a 40-26 win over arch-rivals Brisbane took their record to 12-4.
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