The Raiders proved last week that their horrid injury count is no impediment to success.
The manner in which they beat the premiers suggests the Rabbitohs will have their work cut out for them.
South Sydney, on the other hand, need to play with the speed and commitment they displayed in the final stages of their 20-18 loss to Newcastle last weekend for the entire 80 minutes. If they do that, they can beat anyone.
Match: Raiders v Rabbitohs
Round 11 -
home Team
Raiders
5th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
10th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
The Rundown
Team news
Raiders: The Raiders will line up 1-17 with Sam Williams and Darby Medlyn omitted an hour before kick-off.
John Bateman won't be a late inclusion despite being named in the 21-man squad on Tuesday. "John's not far away," Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said.
"[But] I've had to name him this week because I didn't have anyone else to name. I only had 20 healthy players."
Jordan Rapana moves to centre with Semi Valemei starting on the wing due to Michael Oldfield's hamstring injury. Harley Smith-Shields joins the bench.
Matt Frawley and Bateman were omitted from the reserves list 24 hour before kick-off. The Raiders have won five of their past seven games against the Rabbitohs.
Rabbitohs: Keaon Koloamatangi will join the interchange bench with Patrick Mago dropping out of the side. With centre James Roberts (pectoral) and back-rower Ethan Lowe (neck) out long-term, the Bunnies welcome Campbell Graham (facial fracture) back to the centres and promote Bayley Sironen to the run-on side with Jack Johns joining the interchange.
Kurt Dillon and Troy Dargan dropped off the extended bench on Friday night while Mago and Steven Marsters were omitted an hour before kick-off.
Five-eighth Cody Walker has scored a try in four of his past five games against the Raiders.
Match: Raiders v Rabbitohs
Round 11 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Alex Johnston
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick CotricWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Corey Allan
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod CrokerCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell Graham
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Jordan RapanaCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Dane Gagai
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Semi ValemeiWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 George WilliamsHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Siliva HaviliHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis LuiProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'A
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Bayley Sironen
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Kai O'DonnellLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Mark Nicholls
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Joseph TapineInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Hame Sele
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ryan SuttonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jack Johns
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Harley Smith-ShieldsInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Keaon Koloamatangi
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Siliva Havili v Damien Cook. It is hard to find two more contrasting styles from men in No.9 jerseys, yet both are very important to their team's chances. Havili had a great game in the win over the Roosters, with his strong defence a highlight. Cook, on the other hand, seems to be warming to the 2020 rule changes and at his best poses a potent attacking threat.
Stat Attack
Josh Papalii made a very strong case for being the best prop in the NRL with a powerhouse display against the Roosters. In 59 minutes of game time, the Maroons and Test prop ran for 218m and scored the match-winning try. The Rabbitohs face a tough task in slowing him down.
