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Rabbitohs v Dolphins: Star centre returns; Trio staying home
The master will take on his former apprentice as Wayne Bennett and the Rabbitohs face the Dolphins in the opening round of the season.
In official news announced on Tuesday afternoon, the venue for Friday night's game has shifted to CommBank Stadium due to the impact of Cyclone Alfred in south-east Queensland. The Round 17 match between the Dolphins and the Rabbitohs will now become a Dolphins home fixture.
Bennett has endured a turbulent start to his return to Redfern and will be without stars Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray for the foreseeable future after a devastating training session that saw the duo suffer hamstring and Achilles injuries, respectively.
English recruit Lewis Dodd will also miss the Round 1 clash with the Dolphins due to a suspension picked up in the Charity Shield, opening the door for former Manly youngster Jamie Humphreys to start in the halves.
Bennett will need all the nous learnt over decades of coaching to topple his former protege Kristian Woolf.
The Dolphins have enjoyed a smoother preparation, but they will have to produce a much-improved showing than last week's Pre-Season Challenge loss to the Titans.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be crucial at the back, while Woolf is looking for halfback Isaiya Katoa to take another big step forward this year.
Match: Rabbitohs v Dolphins
Round 1 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
8th Position
away Team
Dolphins
10th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Rabbitohs: A massive boost for the Bunnies with Campbell Graham overcoming a hand injury to return ahead of schedule while prop Junior Tatola (foot) is also good to go. Jye Gray will wear the No.1 jersey in Latrell Mitchell's absence, with Isaiah Taas and Tyrone Munro on the wings. Jamie Humphreys teams with skipper Cody Walker in the halves while Peter Mamouzelos is the hooker. Former Dolphin Lachlan Hubner makes his club debut at lock and ex-Tiger Jayden Sullivan has won a bench spot alongside Tallis Duncan, Siliva Havili and Tatola. No late changes with Liam Le Blanc named as 18th man.
Dolphins: Five-eighth Kodi Nikorima, prop Mark Nicholls and 18th man Kenny Bromwich have chosen to stay in Queensland with their families during Cyclone Alfred. Sean O'Sullivan and Josh Kerr have come into the 17 on Wednesday. Kristian Woolf has named newly-appointed captain Tom Gilbert to make his long-awaited return at lock, with Max Plath starting in the second row alongside new signing Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Team vice-captain Felise Kaufusi completes his move into the middle, partnering another new signing in Daniel Saifiti at prop. Junior Tupuo will also make his first club appearance on the wing with 2024 Dally M rookie of the year Jack Bostock (knee) sidelined. After an impressive pre-season that has come off the back of some strong performances for Fiji in the Pacific Championships, the versatile Kurt Donoghoe has been named on the bench. Oryn Keeley is the 18th man.
Match: Rabbitohs v Dolphins
Round 1 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye GrayFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Isaiah TassWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack WightonCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Tyrone MunroWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Junior Tupou
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 20 Sean O'Sullivan
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie HumphreysHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Sean KeppieProp for Dolphins is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Peter MamouzelosHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Davvy MoaleProp for Dolphins is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Max Plath
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Lachlan HubnerLock for Dolphins is number 13 Tom Gilbert
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jayden SullivanInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Kurt Donoghoe
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva HaviliInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Connelly Lemuelu
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Tallis DuncanInterchange for Dolphins is number 17 Ray Stone
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Tevita TatolaInterchange for Dolphins is number 19 Josh Kerr
Reserves
-
Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Liam Le BlancReplacement for Dolphins is number 23 Oryn Keeley
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dolphins play at CommBank Stadium for just the second time since entering the competition (Rd 25, 2023, lost 24-23 to Wests Tigers).
- The Rabbitohs won their only game at CommBank Stadium in 2024, beating the Eels 32-16 in Round 18.
- Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker requires one try for 100 NRL tries.
- Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 10 tries in his past 11 NRL games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
