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Rabbitohs v Roosters: Wighton sidelined; Nawaqanitawase to debut

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The Roosters will look to regroup after a horror afternoon at Allianz Stadium which saw them lose Sam Walker and Brandon Smith to season-ending knee injuries as they gave up second spot on the ladder to the Panthers.

Forwards Victor Radley and Nat Butcher will miss the showdown with arch-rivals the Rabbitohs, who can finish no better than 14th on the ladder, but would love nothing better than knocking the Roosters down a peg or two on the eve of the finals.

Outside backs Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i and Billy Smith are named to return, but the aftershocks from Sunday's loss to the Raiders will be felt all week at Roosters HQ and they work out how to rebuild their spine with Walker and Smith gone.

The Rabbitohs have endured a disastrous season hampered by injuries to star players, the latest being Jack Wighton, who hurt his calf against the Panthers and will miss this weekend.

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The Bunnies never recovered from losing nine of their first 10 matches, including a 48-6 hammering at the hands of the Roosters in Round 3, James Tedesco and Walker bagging doubles as they showcased the attacking flair that has seen them average 30 points per game in 2024.

Team News

Rabbitohs: Dean Hawkins will partner with Cody Walker in the halves after Jack Wighton was ruled out with a calf injury. Richie Kennar is set for his 50th NRL game after being recalled on the wing in place of Fletcher Myers. No late changes, with Dion Teaupa to be 18th man.

Roosters: Rugby union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase has been named for his maiden NRL appearance in place of winger Dom Young (calf), while teenage prop De La Salle Va'a will make his NRL debut with Lindsay Collins being rested. Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i returns from a neck injury in a major boost for the injury-ravaged Roosters. Sandon Smith has been named to start his first game at halfback for the year after Sam Walker tore his ACL last weekend. Connor Watson has shifted to hooker in place of Brandon Smith (knee) with Naufahu Whyte and Sitili Tupouniua called into the starting side in place of Victor Radley and Nat Butcher. Terrell May will start at prop and Blake Steep comes onto the bench. Michael Jenning is 18th man.

 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Tyrone Munro
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Fetalaiga Pauga
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane Milne
    Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Richard Kennar
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jacob Gagai
    Winger for Roosters is number 20 Mark Nawaqanitawase
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Dean Hawkins
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Spencer Leniu
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 13 Davvy Moale
    Prop for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tallis Duncan
    Lock for Roosters is number 13 Naufahu Whyte

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
    Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Zach  Dockar-Clay 
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Liam Le Blanc
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Siua Wong
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean Keppie
    Interchange for Roosters is number 16 De La Salle Va'a
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Siliva Havili
    Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Blake Steep

Reserves

  • Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 22 Dion Teaupa
    Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Michael Jennings

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Rabbitohs have won only two from 12 against current top eight teams this season.
  • The Roosters have won four of their past five games against the Rabbitohs.
  • Rabbitohs halfback Cody Walker has scored seven tries from eight games against the Roosters at Accor Stadium.
  • Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 12 tries in his past 10 games.
  • Rabbitohs prop Sean Keppie will play his 100th NRL game.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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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.