SATURDAY, MAY 3rd, 2025
Knights v Rabbitohs
Suncorp Stadium Brisbane 3pm.
Battered and bruised, the Rabbitohs refuse to give in. Through the opening eight rounds, they’ve fought with grit and determination—despite being ravaged by injuries and suspensions.
With key figures like Cameron Murray, Cody Walker, and Jamie Humphreys already side-lined, the latest blow comes as star fullback Latrell Mitchell is ruled out due to suspension.
Master coach Wayne Bennett will once again be forced to reshuffle his lineup for a Magic Round clash against a Knights side desperately lacking in both points and confidence. The struggle continues for South Sydney.
Souths
1. Jye Gray 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Euan Aitken 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Jai Arrow 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Davvy Moale 17. Fletcher Myers 18. Thomas Fletcher 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Joshua Schuster 21. Salesi Ataata 22. Nazareth Taua
Out: Latrell Mitchell (fullback), Siliva Havili (bench), Lewis Dodd (to reserve)
In: Liam Le Blanc (bench), Lachlan Hubner (bench), Fletcher Myers (bench)
Changes: Jack Wighton (centre to five-eighth), Jye Gray (five-eighth to fullback), Euan Aitken (second row to centre), Tallis Duncan (bench to second row)
Just 72 points from seven games—that’s all the Knights have been able to muster so far this season. Their misfiring attack has struggled to spark, and unless they can find a way to ignite it, they’ll be hard-pressed to trouble a South Sydney side loaded with strike power in Jye Gray, Jack Wighton, and Keaon Koloamatangi.
There is, however, some light at the end of the tunnel. Forwards Jacob Saifiti and Adam Elliott are set to return from calf injuries, with Saifiti named in the front row and Elliott coming off the bench. Tyson Frizell shifts to lock as a result, pushing Mathew Croker to the interchange and sending Tyrone Thompson and Thomas Cant back to the reserves.
There’s also hope that Tyson Gamble could make his return from a broken nose, having been named in the extended squad.
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Adam Elliott 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Tyrone Thompson
Out: Thomas Cant, Tyrone Thompson (to reserve)
In: Jacob Saifiti (front row), Adam Elliott (bench)
Changes: Tyson Frizell (front row to lock), Jayden Brailey (hooker to bench), Mat Croker (lock to bench), Phoenix Crossland (bench to hooker)
Key Stats
The Rabbitohs have won three of their past four games without Latrell Mitchell.
The Knights have averaged only 10 points per game over the opening eight rounds.
Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham has scored five tries in his past three games at Suncorp Stadium.
Centre Dane Gagai will play his 200th game for the Knights.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has won four from four Magic Round games.
Referees: Liam Kennedy, Touch Judges, Jon Stone, Daniel Schwass, Bunker, Ashley Klein.
NZ Warriors v Cowboys
Suncorp Stadium Brisbane 5.30pm.
After a humbling slide in 2024, the Warriors have rediscovered their spark in 2025—and it’s their dynamic halves pairing, Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita, who are driving the resurgence.
Since a flat opening-round loss to the Raiders in Las Vegas, the classy playmakers have steered the side to five wins from their last six outings. With confidence brimming, the Warriors roll into Magic Round looking to keep their momentum alive.
Coach Andrew Webster has kept faith with the same starting side that delivered the goods against the Knights last week, rewarding a squad that’s finally found its rhythm. The only tweak comes on the bench, with Te Maire Martin stepping in for Jacob Laban, who is sidelined under concussion protocols.
Warriors
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Marata Niukore 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Leka Halasima 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Tanner Stowers-Smith 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Eddie Ieremia 23. Edward Kosi
Out: Jacob Laban (bench)
In: Te Maire Martin (bench)
Confidence won’t be in short supply for the Cowboys, not after they ran in seven tries in just 33 minutes to blow the Titans off the park in a stunning second-half blitz in Round 8.
This is a team that knows how to shine on the Magic Round stage. Who could forget Murray Taulagi’s outrageous no-look flick to set up Scott Drinkwater’s try against the Tigers in 2023? A touch of that same magic could be just what they need to notch a fifth straight win.
Coach Todd Payten has kept faith with the same 17 that dismantled the Titans, with Harrison Edwards again set to wear the No. 15 jersey after earning a late promotion last weekend. Meanwhile, rising NSW Under 19 forward Kaiden Lahrs has been named in the extended squad and looms as a potential debutant on the big stage.
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Karl Lawton 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Thomas Mikaele
Unchanged
Key Stats
The Warriors have won four of their last five games against the Cowboys.
Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored seven tries in seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
The Warriors have lost six of their past seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
Cowboys centre Jaxson Purdue has scored six tries in his last six games.
The Warriors can equal their best start to a season after eight games with a win.
Referees: Adam Gee, Touch Judges, Chris Sutton, Kieren Irons, Bunker, Chris Butler.
Tigers v Dragons
Suncorp Stadium Brisbane 7.45pm
With renewed belief and momentum on their side, the Wests Tigers are aiming to build on last weekend’s thrilling golden-point triumph, while the Dragons are desperate to bounce back when the two proud clubs meet in a Magic Round clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Both joint ventures have endured tough times in recent seasons, but green shoots of progress are starting to emerge. At Tiger Town, confidence is soaring after their gritty win over the Sharks, and they’re eyeing back-to-back victories under the Saturday night lights.
Coach Benji Marshall has largely stuck with a winning formula, with Tony Sukkar named as 18th man as the Tigers look to keep the spark alive.
Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Tristan Hope
Unchanged
After a deflating ANZAC Day loss to the Roosters, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has demanded a sharp response from his side as they prepare for their Magic Round showdown.
History hasn’t been kind to St George Illawarra at the NRL’s annual Brisbane blockbuster—they’ve yet to record a win at Magic Round, falling short in all four of their previous appearances. Last year, they didn’t even get the chance, sitting out with the bye.
Now, Flanagan is turning to fresh blood to spark a revival. Rising halfback Lyhkan King-Togia has been handed the No.7 jersey, with Lachlan Ilias relegated to the reserves. Out wide, Sione Finau makes way for Corey Allan, who completes a determined comeback from a serious ACL injury.
In the middle, Hamish Stewart returns from concussion protocols to slot in at lock, pushing Jack de Belin to the bench and Blake Lawrie back to the reserves. With changes made and motivation high, the Dragons are ready to chase their long-awaited Magic Round breakthrough.
Dragons
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lyhkan King-Togia 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Jack de Belin 16. Emre Guler 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 19. Nathan Lawson 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Lachlan Ilias 22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Out: Sione Finau (wing), Lachlan Ilias, Blake Lawrie (to reserve)
In: Corey Allan (wing), Lyhkan King-Togia (halfback), Hamish Stewart (lock)
Changes: Jack De Belin (lock to bench)
Key Stats
Wests Tigers winger Sunia Turuva has scored eight tries in his past seven games.
The Dragons have won five of their past six games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers have won only one of their past five games at Suncorp Stadium.
The Dragons have lost all four Magic Round games.
Tigers winger Brent Naden has scored five tries in five games against the Dragons.
Referees: Wyatt Raymond, Touch Judges, Matt Noyen, Drew Oultram, Bunker, Kasey Badger.
Some tight finishes expected in these games, and lets hope the officials do NOT decide the winners. For myself during last weekends games I turned the TV off in discuss. There were forward passes, missed penalties, sin bins that should not have been awarded and general controversy. A very poor effort from the officials involved.
I will go with Knights, Cowboys, and Tigers. Good Luck.
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