NRL FRIDAY: ROUND 27 SYDNEY ROOSTERS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

8:00 pm FRIDAY,SEPTEMBER 6th 2024 SYDNEY Accor Stadium, SYDNEY

Age-Old Rivalry Renewed: Rabbitohs vs. Roosters in Friday Night Showdown

The latest chapter in an age-old rivalry unfolds on Friday night as the struggling South Sydney Rabbitohs host a Sydney Roosters team reeling from a disastrous loss to Canberra.

Injury Disruptions for Roosters as Key Players Miss Out

Souths have battled with a lengthy injury list throughout the season, and the Roosters have seen their own casualty ward expand significantly after just one game.

Final NRL Appearances for Burgess and Cook as Souths Tinker with Line-up

Cody Walker returns to five-eighth with Jack Wighton suffering a calf strain in their loss to the Panthers. Dean Hawkins joins the team at halfback. Thomas Burgess, set to join Huddersfield next year, will start at prop in his final NRL game for the Rabbitohs, with Sean Keppie coming off the bench.

Damien Cook will also make his final appearance for the club before his move to St George Illawarra next year.

South Sydney

1. Jye Gray 2. Tyrone Munro 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai , 6. Cody Walker 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Tallis Duncan 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Davvy Moale , 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Sean Keppie 17. Siliva Havili, 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 20. Brock Gray 21. Fletcher Myers 22. Dion Teaupa

Roosters’ Injury Crisis: Radley Out with Fractured Scapula and Key Changes Announced

The Roosters are making numerous changes following their shocking injury toll from last weekend. With Sam Walker and Brandon Smith both suffering season-ending ACL injuries, Sandon Smith joins the team at halfback with Connor Watson at hooker and Zach Docker-Clay on the bench. Victor Radley is also sidelined with a fractured scapula, but he has chosen to postpone surgery in a desperate bid to return before the end of the season.

Sitili Tupouniua will step into the back row, while Naufahu Whyte takes over at lock due to Nat Butcher’s 11-day concussion stand down. Daniel Tupou is being rested, allowing Junior Pauga to make his first-grade return since mid-year. On a positive note for the Roosters, Joseph Sua’ali’i returns to the lineup after missing last week’s game with a shoulder issue. Additionally, 19-year-old American Samoa-born Roosters Academy product De La Salle Va’a will make his first-grade debut from the bench.

Mark Nawaqanitawase Set to Make NRL Debut After Impressive NSW Cup Form

Reports emerged on Wednesday that rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase will make his NRL debut following a strong performance in the NSW Cup.

Roosters Dominate Recent Fixtures Against Rabbitohs: A Look Back

After a series of losses between 2019 and 2022, the Roosters have since dominated this fixture, winning four of the past five encounters. The most recent result was a 48-6 victory at Allianz Stadium in Round 3, marking their biggest win against Souths since a 62-0 thrashing in 1996. Their last meeting at Accor Stadium saw the Roosters secure a 26-12 win, knocking the Rabbitohs out of the top 8 in the final round of the 2023 season. Additionally, the Roosters claimed a 46-10 victory in the Preseason Challenge, though it featured no first graders due to the Las Vegas trip.

Playoff Hopes Drive Roosters as They Aim for Top 2 Finish

While the Rabbitohs are almost certain to finish 15th, the Roosters still have plenty to play for. It’s an opportunity to get their new combinations working before the finals, while a win would leave their hopes of a top 2 finish hinging on Penrith losing against Gold Coast. A defeat could see Cronulla push them to 4^th and a qualifying final trip to Melbourne should the Sharks beat Manly.

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Fetalaiga Pauga 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu , 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson , 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Naufahu Whyte, 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Siua Wong 16. Delasalle Vaa 17. Terrell May, 18. Michael Jennings 19. Blake Steep , 20. Mark Nawaqanitawase 21. Jake Elliott 22. Xavier Va’a

Referee. Grant Atkins ,Touch Judges, Liam Kennedy, Chris Sutton, Bunker Adam Gee

Cody Walker’s Strong Record at Accor Stadium and Key Stats Ahead of the Clash

The Rabbitohs have managed only two wins from 12 games against current top eight teams this season.

The Roosters have won four of their past five encounters with the Rabbitohs.

Rabbitohs halfback Cody Walker has scored seven tries in eight games against the Roosters at Accor Stadium.

Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has notched 12 tries in his past 10 games.

Rabbitohs prop Sean Keppie will reach his 100th NRL game.

The Rabbitohs simply could not match the Panthers last week, but weren’t completely disgraced, while the Roosters were battered and beaten by the Raiders, losing three of their biggest stars in the process. The Rabbitohs would love nothing more than to end their miserable season with an upset victory over their arch enemy. The Roosters will need this game to bed in their new line-up, it could go either way, maybe the Bunnies, but only if you need an upset.

Since 2007, the Ron Coote Cup has been awarded to the team with the best aggregate across the two regular season matches between the clubs. The Rabbitohs currently hold a 9-8 advantage, but the Roosters are poised to even the score.

Tribute to Ron Coote: Special Ceremony and Jersey Honor for Souths’ Tallis Duncan

In honor of Ron Coote, the recently unveiled 14th Immortal, there will be a special tribute before the game on Friday night. Additionally, Souths’ lock Tallis Duncan will don the number 8 jersey famously worn by “The Prince of Locks.”

Prediction

The disrupted preparation could put the Roosters at risk of an upset by the lowly Rabbitohs. However, with a quality line-up that includes Luke Keary facing his former club for the final time, they should still be able to secure the win.