SUNDAY JUNE 8th, 2025
Raiders v Souths,
GIO Stadium, Canberra 2pm
Riding high as one of the in-form teams of the 2025 season, the Raiders have more than just premiership momentum to fuel them this week—they have history to celebrate.
As they welcome the Rabbitohs to Canberra, the Green Machine remain firmly entrenched in second spot on the ladder following a gritty victory over the Roosters last round. But the spotlight this time will shine even brighter on a beloved club icon: Josh Papali’i. In what promises to be an emotional moment for fans, the veteran front-rower will run out for his record-breaking 319th appearance, surpassing Jason Croker to become the most-capped Raider of all time.
Papali’i is named to start in the middle for the milestone clash, while Corey Horsburgh shifts to lock and Morgan Smithies makes way to the bench. There’s more good news for Raiders supporters too, with halfback Jamal Fogarty returning to steer the side after missing last week’s clash due to a groin complaint.
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris. 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling. 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh . 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin. 19. Trey Mooney 20. Danny Levi 21. Jed Stuart 22. Ethan Sanders
Out: Ethan Sanders (halfback to reserve), Danny Levi (hooker to reserve)
In: Jamal Fogarty (halfback), Tom Starling (hooker)
Changes: Corey Horsburgh (front row to lock), Morgan Smithies (lock to bench), Josh Papalii (bench to front row)
The Rabbitohs arrive in Canberra still carrying the sting of last week’s heartbreaker—a stirring yet ultimately unsuccessful comeback against the Warriors. Trailing 30-12 at one point, the Bunnies launched a spirited second-half fightback, clawing their way to within a converted try before falling just short, 36-30.
In the thick of it was skipper Latrell Mitchell, backing up bravely from Origin duty. The superstar fullback did everything he could to lift his side and nearly dragged them to a famous upset. While the result didn’t go their way, there were still reasons to smile—none more significant than Alex Johnston’s milestone moment. The Kumuls winger etched his name into history with his 200th premiership try, joining one of rugby league’s most exclusive clubs.
Now, the Rabbitohs get a much-needed injection of firepower. Jack Wighton and Cody Walker both return from calf injuries, reuniting for the first time since Round 7. Wighton slots into the centres, pushing Isaiah Tass to the wing, while Bayleigh Bentley-Hape drops out. Jayden Sullivan shifts to the bench, and young playmaker Jye Gray moves to the reserves. Meanwhile, Liam Le Blanc earns a spot on the interchange after serving as 18th man last week.
Souths
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham. 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili. 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner . 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Davvy Moale. 19. Jye Gray 20. Tyrone Munro 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Jacob Host
Out: Bayleigh Bentley-Hape (wing), Davvy Moale (bench to reserve), Jye Gray (bench to reserve)
In: Jack Wighton (centre), Cody Walker (five-eighth), Liam Le Blanc (bench)
Changes: Isaiah Tass (centre to wing), Jayden Sullivan (five-eighth to bench)
Key Stats
The Raiders have won five of their past six games against the Rabbitohs.
Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored nine tries in 12 games against the Raiders.
Raiders second-rower Hudson Young has scored 10 tries in his last 10 NRL games.
Rabbitohs second-rower Euan Aitken will play his 200th NRL game.
Raiders veteran Josh Papalii will break the club’s all-time appearance record of 318 games.
Tip
The Raiders showed their mettle once again last weekend, rallying from behind to snatch a hard-fought win over the Roosters and further cement their status as genuine contenders in 2025. Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs pushed the Warriors to the brink, almost pulling off a stunning comeback on the back of some late brilliance from Latrell Mitchell. With both sides favouring an expansive, attacking brand of football, this clash promises to entertain. At home and riding a wave of momentum, the Raiders should have the edge—but underestimate the Bunnies at your peril.
Referees, Todd Smith, Touch Judges, Dave Munro, Jarrod Cole, Bunker, Chris Butler.
Tigers v Panthers
Commbank Stadium,Sydney, 4.05pm
The Tigers may have fallen just short in last week’s nail-biter against the Cowboys, but they’ll take plenty of heart from the fight they showed—and arrive eager to build on that performance when they take on the Panthers.
After a rocky first half that saw them reduced to 11 men at one stage due to two costly sin bins, the Tigers found themselves trailing 18-6 at the break. But what followed was a spirited resurgence. Unleashing a flurry of four unanswered tries in the second half, they stormed back into the contest, only to fall agonisingly short in a 32-28 defeat.
There’s fresh energy coming into the squad this week. Young playmaker Latu Fainu returns from a thumb injury for his first outing since Round 5, while electric winger Jeral Skelton is also back after a hamstring layoff. However, the side will be without experienced forward Alex Twal, who is sidelined due to concussion protocols. His absence sees Alex Seyfarth shift to lock and Tony Sukkar earn a start in the back row.
Brent Naden and Charlie Staines move to the reserves, while two fresh faces join the match-day squad: Kit Laulilii is named on the bench for his first appearance of the year, and promising back-rower Charlie Murray is set to make his long-awaited NRL debut.
Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a. 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau . 10. Sione Fainu 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Latu Fainu. 15. Jack Bird 16. Kit Laulilii 17. Charlie Murray 18. Luke Laulilii 19. Tallyn Da Silva. 20. Charlie Staines 21. Brent Naden 22. Elie El-Zakhem
Out: Royce Hunt (front row), Alex Twal (lock), Charlie Staines (wing to reserve), Brent Naden (bench to reserve)
In: Jeral Skelton (wing), Latu Fainu (bench), Kit Laulilii (bench), Charlie Murray (bench)
Changes: Alex Seyfarth (second row to lock), Sione Fainu (bench to front row), Tanous Sukkar (bench to second row)
The Panthers roll into this week’s clash off the back of a gritty, back-and-forth battle against arch-rivals Parramatta—a contest that tested their composure right to the end. In a game where momentum swung like a pendulum, it was captain Nathan Cleary who once again proved the difference, seizing control in the dying stages to steer his side to a hard-earned 18-10 victory.
Coach Ivan Cleary has rewarded that performance by sticking solid with the same 17 that got the job done against the Eels. Meanwhile, Isaiah Papali’i (knee) and Luke Garner (concussion) have been named among the reserves as they continue their push for a return to the top-grade squad.
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean. 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny . 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo. 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Luron Patea 17. Daine Laurie. 18. Brad Schneider 19. Isaiah Papali’i 20. Trent Toelau 21. Luke Garner 22. Paul Alamoti
Out: None (one unused interchange player last week)
In: Daine Laurie (bench)
Key Stats
Wests Tigers have won only three of their past 13 games against the Panthers.
The Panthers have won 18 of their past 21 daytime games.
Wests Tigers have won three of their past four games at CommBank Stadium.
Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored four tries in his last three games at CommBank Stadium.
Tigers winger Sunia Turuva has scored five tries in his last three games at CommBank.
Tip
Last week felt like a missed opportunity for the Tigers—a golden chance to reset their disrupted season against the Cowboys slipped through their fingers after a sluggish start left them with too much ground to make up. In contrast, the Panthers were pushed to the limit by a fired-up Eels outfit, but once again showed their class, with skipper Nathan Cleary rising to the occasion and guiding them home.
All eyes this week will be on the intriguing matchup between longtime teammates and close friends, Jarome Luai and Cleary, as they face off for the first time in opposing jerseys. With the Panthers steadily building form and confidence, they look well-placed to get the job done—but expect the Tigers to throw everything at them.
Referees, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Touch Judges, Drew Oultram, Jon Stone, Bunker, Adam Gee;
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