Round 11 (Magic Round) SATURDAY MAY 18th, 2024, SUNCORP STADIUM, BRISBANE
Rabbitohs vs. Cowboys: NRL Magic Round Preview
Here we witness a true clash between two of the season’s most significant let downs.
The Rabbitohs looked good in parts last week while losing to the Dragons, while the Cowboys could have easily beaten the Titans, if not for a raft of errors.
Rabbitohs’ Struggles
Having plummeted from first to last on the premiership ladder within twelve months, the South Sydney Rabbitohs aim to rekindle hope in a season of despair with a win over the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday evening.
Stuck in 17th position with only one win from nine matches to start the season, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have conceded an average of nearly 36 points per game in their worst start to a campaign in the nearly two decades since Russell Crowe took ownership of the club.
Following a 28-14 defeat to the Dragons last week, which extended their losing streak to five consecutive matches, interim coach Ben Hornby will welcome back Alex Johnston and Jacob Gagai to the backline, while Taane Milne has been recalled from suspension to join the bench.
As the only club with an unbeaten record at Magic Round, including a 32-16 victory over the Cowboys in the inaugural 2019 event, the Rabbitohs have an impressive recent record at Suncorp with four wins from six appearances.
Rabbitohs Line-up
Rabbitohs
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Cody Walker 7. Dion Teaupa 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Siliva Havili 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Taane Milne 18. Gehamat Shibasaki 19. Matthew French 20. Adam Christensen 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Liam Le Blanc
Cowboys’ Plight
Dropping from joint competition leaders to 12th place over the course of five winless weeks, the North Queensland Cowboys are well aware of the threat posed by their opponents as they strive to get their season back on track.
After failing to score a point in the first hour before narrowly losing 20-18 to the Titans last Sunday, coach Todd Payten has responded by recalling representative duo Murray Taulagi and Jordan McLean, replacing Semi Valemei and Harrison Edwards. Additionally, versatile forward Sam McIntyre will make his 50th first-grade appearance.
With a 50 percent success rate at Magic Round, including victories over the Tigers (36-12) and Roosters (20-6) in their past two appearances, the Cowboys have performed admirably at Suncorp, securing five wins from nine visits during Payten’s tenure.
Cowboys Line-up
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Jason Taumalolo 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Braidon Burns 22. Jaxon Purdue
Referees: Peter Gough; Touch Judges: Chris Sutton, Dave Munro; Bunker: Liam Kennedy
Head-to-Head Records
The Rabbitohs have won all four Magic Round games.
The Cowboys have won three of their past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
Rabbitohs centre Jack Wighton will make his 250th NRL appearance.
Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored seven tries in five games at Suncorp Stadium.
The Rabbitohs have won seven of their past eight games against the Cowboys.
Prediction
While both teams are currently on a five-match losing streak, the Cowboys’ available players and point-scoring capability are expected to be too much for the Rabbitohs to handle.
The Rabbitohs have struggled both offensively and defensively, while the Cowboys, despite showing glimpses of attacking brilliance, haven’t conceded fewer than 20 points since the opening round. In what promises to be a high-scoring game, the Cowboys are likely to come out on top.
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