Rabbitohs v Cowboys: Scott out, stars back for Rabbitohs

It was about six weeks ago that the Rabbitohs got out of jail with a late penalty goal to snatch an after-the-siren win against the Cowboys in Townsville.

The Bunnies have added four more wins to the tally without loss since that meeting, while the 13th-placed Cowboys haven't done anything other than quietly fade from top eight calculations.

South's seven-game winning streak is the club's longest in 24 years and has them well placed to capture their first minor premiership since 1989. Coach Anthony Seibold has to check the fitness of a large group of rep players this week before deciding who will make the long trip to Cairns to face the Cowboys on Sunday.

Not only are the Cows out of finals contention, they have a battle on their hands to avoid the wooden spoon, which would be a most inglorious send-off for retiring legend Johnathan Thurston.

JT deserves much better and will be driving his team to stay professional and committed to finishing the season strongly. Upsetting the Rabbitohs would be a good place to start.

Key match-up: Jason Taumalolo can certainly hold his head high as one of the best performers in a poor team and the Tongan international faces a brutal battle with the Burgess brothers, particularly Sam, one of the world's best forwards alongside Taumalolo. Both will be looking to get a solid shot or two in and Burgess has to make sure he doesn't overstep the mark.

For the Rabbitohs to win: Can't afford to get away to slow starts like they did a couple of weeks ago against Parra, even though they dominated the second half. The Bunnies need to lay a strong platform up front and their lethal back-line should do the rest.

For the Cowboys to win: If the Cowboys forwards can hold their own against the big Souths pack they are definitely a chance of causing an upset. They should've beaten the Bunnies in round 11 and should use that as motivation. And of course any team with Thurston is always a chance.

Rabbitohs Stat Attack: Still on a roll - the Bunnies are aiming for eight consecutive wins on Sunday for the first time since 1989.

Cowboys Stat Attack: Two milestones for North Queensland in Cairns - second-rower Gavin Cooper is set to play his 200th game for the Cowboys and the club will be aiming to notch their 250th win since joining the comp in 1995.

And another thing: This game is being played in Cairns but it won't come as a surprise if the Rabbitohs have more supporters in their corner than North Queensland. The Rabbitohs are one of the most followed sporting clubs in Australia and always manage to draw fans out of the woodwork wherever they go.