Rabbitohs v Bulldogs: Knight returns; Sexton straight in, Quai-Ward debuts
The Rabbitohs got back to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over the Warriors last week, while the Bulldogs endured their darkest day of the season at the hands of the Knights.
Against an in-form Warriors side at a sold-out Go Media Stadium in Auckland, Cody Walker fired South Sydney to a 28-6 win which snapped a prior two-game losing run.
Saturday's meeting with the Dogs at Accor Stadium marks the last time they will play in Sydney until the final round of the season, with a tough run coming up which includes 'home matches' in Perth, Carins and on the Sunshine Coast.
The Bulldogs meanwhile crashed to arguably their lowest point in what has been a miserable few years for the club, as they were beaten 66-0 by a Knights side who went into the game sitting just one point ahead of them on the Telstra Premiership ladder.
A look at their recent record against South Sydney will do little to cheer them up this week either, given they have lost the last five meetings stretching back to 2020.
Both clubs have played seven games at Accor Stadium this year, with South Sydney winning four and the Bulldogs two.
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Team News
Rabbitohs: A late reshuffle sees Richie Kennar start in the centres, which moves Taane Milne back to the second row and Liam Knight on the bench, following Michael Chee-Kam's withdrawal. With Cody Walker, Cameron Murray, Damien Cook and Keaon Koloamatangi on Blues Origin duty, Dean Hawkins is the new five-eighth, Siliva Havili starts at hooker and Ben Lovett and Shaquai Mitchell come forward pack. Isaiah Tass returns following the birth of his first child on Sunday. Peter Mamouzelos and Tallis Duncan are the new faces on the bench.
Bulldogs: Ethan Quai-Ward will make his NRL debut after being a late addition at centre, taking the place of Jackson Topine who moves to the second row. Jayden Okunbor reverts to the bench. Toby Sexton comes straight in at halfback having joined the club from the Titans on Tuesday. Jake Averillo is the new full fullback, with Blake Wilson coming in on the wing for NSW Blues rep Josh Addo-Carr.
Match: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Round 19 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Blake TaaffeFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jake Averillo
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah TassCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Braidon Burns
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 18 Richard KennarCentre for Bulldogs is number 22 Ethan Quai-Ward
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Tyrone MunroWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Blake Wilson
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Dean HawkinsFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Siliva HaviliHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas BurgessProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Ryan Sutton
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 4 Taane Milne2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 4 Jackson Topine
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Benjamin Lovett2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Shaquai MitchellLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter MamouzelosInterchange for Bulldogs is number 11 Jayden Okunbor
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tallis DuncanInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kyle Flanagan
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis Morrin
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 21 Liam KnightInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Tevita Pangai Junior
Reserves
-
Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 19 Josiah Karapani
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Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Jeral Skelton
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs average just under six line breaks per game this year and Alex Johnston is the key man behind that stat, having so far made an NRL-high 24.
- The Bulldogs have conceded 173 points in their past four games.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 11 tries in his last seven games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs miss more tackles than any other side in the competition, and after registering 63 in Round 18 they average 2.5 more than the next-worst offender.
- The Rabbitohs have scored 32 points or more in their past five games against the Bulldogs.
- Bulldogs forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner will make his 100th appearance for the club.
- The Rabbitohs have won three from 11 without Cody Walker since his debut in 2016.
Match: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Round 19 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
5th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
