Rabbitohs v Roosters: Wighton in doubt; Horror injury toll
The Roosters will look to regroup after a horror afternoon at Allianz Stadium which saw them lose Sam Walker and Brandon Smith to season-ending knee injuries as they gave up second spot on the ladder to the Panthers.
Forwards Victor Radley and Nat Butcher are also set to miss the showdown with arch-rivals the Rabbitohs, who can finish no better than 14th on the ladder but would love nothing better than knocking the Roosters down a peg or two on the eve of the finals.
Outside backs Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i and Billy Smith are some chance to return but the aftershocks from Sunday's loss to the Raiders will be felt all week at Roosters HQ and they work out how to rebuild their spine with Walker and Smith gone.
The Rabbitohs have endured a disastrous season hampered by injuries to star players and off-field dramas and they simply never recovered from losing nine of their first 10 matches.
Included among those defeats was a 48-6 hammering at the hands of the Roosters in Round 3, James Tedesco and Walker bagging doubles as they showcased the attacking flair that has seen them average 30 points per game in 2024.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 27 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
15th Position
away Team
Roosters
3rd Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won only two from 12 against current top eight teams this season.
- The Roosters have won four of their past five games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs halfback Cody Walker has scored seven tries from eight games against the Roosters at Accor Stadium.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 12 tries in his past 10 games.
- Rabbitohs prop Sean Keppie will play his 100th NRL game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
