NRL 2025, Anzac Day, Melbourne Storm, South Sydney Rabbitohs, NRL 2025, Canberr, round 8 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 25 Apr 2025, 07:14 PM

The master will take on his former apprentice as Wayne Bennett's Rabbitohs travel south to face Craig Bellamy's Melbourne Storm.

A full-house is expected at AAMI Park for the Storm's traditional Anzac Day clash, with a moving ceremony to precede the match.

Bellamy played under Bennett in Canberra and started his coaching tutelage with the master coach but has well and truly stepped out of his former mentor's shadow in a wildly successful 23-year stint at Melbourne head coach.

The Storm are out to rebound from a shock 42-22 loss to the Dolphins and history is on their side.

South Sydney have never defeated the Storm in Melbourne, with Friday's match their 20th in the Victorian capital.

The Rabbitohs are also looking to rebound from a Good Friday loss, falling 32-0 to the Bulldogs.

Round 8 - Friday 25th April

Full Time

Storm

Rabbitohs

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

Highlights Latest

Team News

Storm: One late change on game day, with livewire Sua Faalogo coming on to the wing for his first NRL game of the season. Kane Bradley reverts to 18th man as a result. The loss of Jack Howarth (shoulder) is offset by the return of Nick Meaney from a jaw injury. Bench forward Tui Kamikamica is out with an ankle injury, his place taken by Lazarus Vaalepu. Premiership winning prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Keagan Russell-Smith and Coby Williamson dropped out of the squad when it was trimmed to 19 on Thursday.

Rabbitohs: With Cody Walker ruled out due to a calf strain, Jye Gray returns to the starting side in the halves after initially being named on the bench. Gray will team with Jayden Sullivan, who returns from suspension at halfback. Lewis Dodd has been added to the bench. Latrell Mitchell is set to line up at fullback for the first time this season, Campbell Graham returns to the centres and Bayley Bentleigh-Hape comes in on the wing. Jai Arrow has shifted to lock to replace Lachlan Hubner (concussion). No further changes in Friday's final team update, with Liam Le Blanc remaining in the squad as 18th man.

Round 8 - Friday 25th April

Full Time

Storm

Rabbitohs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
Centre for Storm is number 3 Grant Anderson

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack Wighton
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
Winger for Storm is number 19 Sualauvi Faalogo

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Isaiah Tass
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jye Gray
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jayden Sullivan

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Sean Keppie
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Bronson Garlick

Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Peter Mamouzelos
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Tevita Tatola
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Euan Aitken
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Jai Arrow

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva Havili
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Davvy Moale
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Joe Chan

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Tallis Duncan
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Lazarus Vaalepu

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Lewis Dodd

Reserves

Replacement for Storm is number 2 Kane Bradley

Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Liam Le Blanc

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 10:08 am Sunday 27th April 2025

Stat Attack

The Storm have won all 19 games against the Rabbitohs in Melbourne.
Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham has scored six tries in his last seven games against the Storm.
The Storm have scored 128 points in three games at AAMI Park this season.
A Wayne Bennett-coached team has not defeated the Storm since 2016.
Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 34 tries in 30 games at AAMI Park.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.