The Rabbitohs will look to continue their resurgence under interim coach Ben Hornby when they take on the Sea Eagles without their Origin stars in a pivotal clash on Saturday night.
South Sydney extended their winning streak to three in a row with arguably their finest performance of the season to down Brisbane in Round 15 – a 22-12 victory that keeps the cardinal and myrtle within touching distance of the top eight.
If they are to make a fairytale run into the finals after a slow start to the year, they'll need to get the job done against a Manly side that showed tremendous courage to down the Dragons 30-14 on home soil last weekend.
Having lost four of their last five heading into the game, Anthony Seibold's side were forced to dig deep with a number of in-game injuries leaving players out of position and no healthy players on the bench, but a masterclass from skipper Daly Cherry-Evans once again got the Sea Eagles over the line.
To preserve their place inside the top eight, Manly will need to do it without their inspirational leader this week with Cherry-Evans joining Haumole Olakau'atu and Jake Trbojevic in their respective Origin camps, while the Rabbitohs will be without Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell after their Origin recalls.
Having played each other 44 times in the Premiership era, both teams have won 22 games apiece with the Rabbitohs winning seven of the last eight – their one defeat coming in the season opener earlier this year in Las Vegas.
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Team News
Rabbitohs: Jye Gray makes his return from an ankle injury, taking over at fullback from Blues rep Latrell Mitchell, while Jai Arrow is good to play after overcoming a ribs injury. No late changes, with Dion Teaupa the replacement player.
Sea Eagles: A late shuffle sees Gordon Chan Kum Tong drop off the bench and Jaxson Paulo come into the starting side at centre, with Aaron Schoupp reverting to the back row, Corey Waddell going to prop and Ethan Bullemor moving back to the interchange. Toafofoa Sipley is good to go despite battling a knee concern during the week. Nathan Brown and Luke Brooks captain the side.
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Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won seven of their past eight games against the Sea Eagles.
- The Sea Eagles have not won consecutive games against the Rabbitohs since 2010.
- The Rabbitohs have scored 110 points in their past three games.
- The Sea Eagles have not defeated the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium since 2013.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 15 tries in 16 games against the Sea Eagles.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.