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Knights v Rabbitohs: Saifiti withdrawn; Johnston, Nicholls out

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The Knights remain a rough chance of forcing their way into the finals given their friendly run home but they face a stiff test against  the Latrell Mitchell-inspired Bunnies on Friday. 

In the final nine rounds the Knights face only two sides currently inside the top eight, so there's good reason for optimism on the back of Friday's drubbing of the Titans.

One of those sides inside the eight is Souths, who head to Newcastle full of confidence after Mitchell's impressive return in the win over the Eels.

Both sides are missing key men on Origin duty but there's enough quality on show to suggest this will be a cracking contest in front of a big crowd in Knights homeland.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Knights v Rabbitohs

The Rundown

Team news

Knights: No further changes on game day after Jacob Saifiti was a late withdrawal on Thursday to make his Origin debut after Jordan McLean's injury. Pasami Saulo joined the Knights bench.

Jayden Brailey is set to return from a long-term achilles injury off the bench while Bradman Best will play in his return from an elbow injury, replacing Dane Gagai (Origin) in the centres. Tex Hoy again wears the No.1 jersey in place of Kalyn Ponga, who is also away with the Maroons. 

Rabbitohs: A big blow on game day with Alex Johnston (quad) ruled out, replaced by Richie Kennar.

Mark Nicholls had been named to return from a head knock but he is a late withdrawal so Kodi Nikorima goes to lock.

Two new faces on the bench with Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Shaq Mitchell added to the 17. Blake Taaffe is out.

Davvy Moale will start the game with Thomas Burgess going to the bench. 

Latrell Mitchell will captain the Rabbitohs for the first time with Cameron Murray on Origin duty.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy
    Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane Milne
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Isaiah Tass
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 20 Richard Kennar
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony Milford
    Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Adam Clune
    Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Chris Randall
    Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Siliva Havili
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 17 Davvy Moale
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jed  Cartwright 
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Kurt Mann
    Lock for Rabbitohs is number 14 Kodi Nikorima

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Leo Thompson
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Michael Chee Kam
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Daniel  Suluka-Fifita 
  • Interchange for Knights is number 19 Pasami Saulo
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 21 Shaquai Mitchell

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi
    Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 15 Blake Taaffe

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Key match-up

Anthony Milford v Cody Walker: Milford is enjoying a resurgence in the No.6 jersey, stringing together five games on the trot and racking up three try assists, 12 tackle breaks and seven forced dropouts. His combination with Adam Clune is growing each week and the man who took Brisbane to a grand final in 2015 is looking happy and settled as he closes in on 200 career games. Walker holds the key to the Rabbitohs' chances of climbing into the top four and making a run at another grand final. The Bunnies' attack takes on a far more dangerous look with Latrell Mitchell back on deck and Walker will relish the opportunity to join forces with his No.1 gun again.

Stat Attack

The Rabbitohs have committed 192 errors in their 16 games to sit in the unwanted top spot in that category. The Knights are 11th on the list with 158 errors in 16 matches.

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Acknowledgement of Country

 National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.