NRL 2023, Wests Tigers, South Sydney Rabbitohs, round 22 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 28 Jul 2023, 05:00 PM

Wests Tigers have now lost seven on the trot and life doesn't get any easier in Round 22 when they square off against a Rabbitohs side set to be strengthened by the return of Latrell Mitchell.

Now sitting four points behind the 16th-placed Bulldogs it seems the wooden spoon is on its way to Concord for the second successive year unless Wests Tigers can spring some major upsets in the run home.

Tim Sheens' men face three of the big guns in the next three weeks with games against the Raiders and Warriors to follow Friday's clash against Souths, who now sit outside the eight after their loss to the Broncos.

Having lost four of their past five games, conceding 145 points in the process, the Rabbitohs need to quickly find their groove if they're to be part of the finals action for a sixth straight year.

Following a trip to Tamworth this week they head to Perth, Cairns and Newcastle before finishing the season at home in Round 27 - a gruelling schedule that will test their resilience and powers of recovery.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs

Already have an NRL Account?

Not sure? Learn more about an NRL Account .

Team news

Wests Tigers: Tim Sheens' side remains 1-17 with no late changes on game day. Playmaker Luke Brooks returns from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Round 15. Winger Charlie Staines (stomach) is also back on deck so Junior Tupou shifts to the centres and Tommy Talau is out. Shawn Blore is back from a quad injury and takes his place on the bench alongside Alex Twal, Aitasi James and Will Smith.

Rabbitohs: No changes one hour before kick-off. After a false start last week which saw him drop out of the squad prior to kick-off, Latrell Mitchell will return from the calf injury which has kept him sidelined since Round 12. After making his own injury comeback last week, Jai Arrow shifts from the back row to prop, with Jacob Host joining the starting side. Jed Cartwright replaces rookie Tallis Duncan on the interchange.

Round 22 - Round 22 - Friday 28 Jul

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Rabbitohs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Junior Tupou

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane Milne
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Daine Laurie

Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Jai Arrow
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Hame Sele
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole

Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Will Smith

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Davvy Moale
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Shawn Blore

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva Havili
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Jed Cartwright
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Aitasi James

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Thomas Burgess

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Justin Matamua

Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Blake Taaffe

Match Officials

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:56 PM

Stat Attack

Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has made 24 line breaks this season, equal best in the NRL with Cronulla's Ronaldo Mulitalo.
Wests Tigers lost 36-12 to the Sharks in Round 22 last year when they took their home game to Scully Park in Tamworth.
The Rabbitohs have 72 try assists in 2023 compared to 35 by Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma requires one try in this game to become the first player to score 100 tries for the joint venture club.
In his comeback match from a calf injury, Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell requires two tries in Friday night’s clash to reach the milestone of 100 NRL tries.
The Rabbitohs have won six of their past seven games against Wests Tigers.
Tigers hooker Api Koroisau has won eight of his past 10 games against the Rabbitohs.
Wests Tigers have conceded 30 tries in their past four games.