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Rabbitohs v Storm: Walker set to start; Tui back on deck

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Sitting three games outside the eight with five games to play the Rabbitohs are set to miss the finals for a second consecutive season and life doesn't get any easier with a clash against ladder leaders Melbourne.

The Storm are sure to be smarting after a shock loss to the Dragons in Round 22 cut their lead over second-placed Penrith to just two points, ensuring the race for the minor premiership would go down to the wire.

A heavyweight showdown with the Panthers awaits in Round 24 but before then the Storm will look to get back on track against a Rabbitohs outfit playing solely for pride after a season decimated by injury and suspension. 

Rabbitohs stars Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell and Jai Arrow have all missed significant game time while star centre Campbell Graham's sternum injury has sidelined him for the entire season.

When the two sides met on Anzac Day the Storm ran riot in a 54-20 victory and the Rabbitohs will need all the pride and passion they can muster if they are to avoid a 13th loss for the season.

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Team News

Rabbitohs: A boost for the Bunnies with halfback Cody Walker back on deck after missing last week's game with a calf injury. Michael Chee Kam comes into the back row to replace Jacob Host (abdominal strain) while Shaquai Mitchell joins the bench in place of Siliva Havili (hamstring). Peter Mamouzelos has also been added to the bench. South Sydney will line up 1-17, with Dean Hawkins the 18th man. 

Storm: Prop Tui Kamikamica is back on deck after missing the Dragons game with a groin injury so Nelson Asofa-Solomona moves to the second row to fill the void left by Eli Katoa (knee). Chris Lewis joins the bench for his first NRL game since Round 3, with Tepai Moeroa moving to the reserves. Star winger Xavier Coates remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. No late changes for the Storm, with Kane Bradley the 18th man. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
    Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan  Papenhuyzen 
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Fletcher Myers
    Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane Milne
    Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Richard Kennar
    Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jacob Gagai
    Winger for Storm is number 5 Grant Anderson
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Cody Walker
    Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Davvy Moale
    Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica 
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
    Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean Keppie
    Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Cameron Murray
    2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Michael Chee Kam
    2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Trent Loiero
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Keaon Koloamatangi
    Lock for Storm is number 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
    Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tallis Duncan
    Interchange for Storm is number 15 Lazarus Vaalepu
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas Burgess
    Interchange for Storm is number 16 Chris Lewis
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Shaquai Mitchell
    Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald

Reserves

  • Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Dean Hawkins
    Replacement for Storm is number 18 Kane Bradley

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Rabbitohs have won their last three games at Accor Stadium.
  • The Storm have won nine of their past 11 games against the Rabbitohs.
  • Rabbitohs lock Keaon Koloamatangi has scored four tries in his past three games at Accor Stadium.
  • Storm winger Grant Anderson has scored five tries in his past four games.
  • The Rabbitohs have lost all five games against top four opposition in 2004.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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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.