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It's Anthony Seibold's dynamic forwards against Wayne Bennett's all-star backline in the latest instalment of a burgeoning rivalry between Brisbane and South Sydney.

Coach Seibold comes up against his former club with his team in good stead. Led by young giants Payne Haas and David Fifita, the Broncos kicked clear of the Cowboys last week to open their account.

Meanwhile, master mentor Bennett eased fullback Latrell Mitchell into his Rabbitohs debut as the men in cardinal and myrtle held off the fast-finishing Sharks. 

The Rundown

Team news

Broncos: The four-week suspension handed to Tevita Pangai opens the door for Jamil Hopoate to move into the starting side in just his second NRL game. Hopoate's bench place is taken by 20-year-old prop Ethan Bullemor, who is line for his NRL debut. Corey Oates has been named despite missing training on Monday with gastroenteritis but skipper Alex Glenn (hamstring) looks set to miss another week. Brodie Croft and Pat Carrigan are one-for-one as co-captains and will take charge again in Glenn's absence. Tom Dearden and Pride Petterson-Robati were pruned from the squad an hour before kick-off, while Xavier Coates and Tesi Niu were omitted from the 21-man squad on Thursday.

Rabbitohs: Wayne Bennett has named the same 17 which took care of the Sharks in round one. Braidon Burns is good to go after taking an early guilty plea for a dangerous throw on Jesse Ramien. Bayley Sironen and Troy Dargen were the last players cut before kick-off, while Bryson Goodwin and Keaon Koloamatangi dropped off the reserves list on Thursday.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Jamayne Isaako
    Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
  • Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Dane Gagai
  • Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 James Roberts
  • Centre for Broncos is number 4 Darius Boyd
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Braidon Burns
  • Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham
  • Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
    Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
  • Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie Croft
    Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

  • Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
  • Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
    Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
  • Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 David Fifita
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'a
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jamil Hopoate
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Cameron Murray
  • Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
    Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Liam Knight

Interchange

  • Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Herbie Farnworth
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Mark Nicholls
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Andrew McCullough
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Ethan Lowe
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Rhys Kennedy
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Hame Sele
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Ethan Bullemor
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Alex Johnston

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
  • Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell

Last updated:

Key match-up

Brodie Croft v Adam Reynolds. Croft was impressive on Broncos debut, showing a calm head to direct the side around the park. Rival halfback Reynolds, meanwhile, kicked superbly as usual for Souths and took on the captaincy well.

Where it'll be won and lost

Last week Cronulla had some success down the Rabbitohs' left edge where Cody Walker, Braidon Burns and Campbell Graham defended. It could be an area for Brisbane to target. Souths will have to match motors with the Broncos pack. Liam Knight and Tevita Tatola stood up in round one and must do it again.

Brett Kimmorley says

Brisbane won last week and they had a couple of amazing individual performers, but they're probably going to miss Tevita Pangai jnr a lot. South Sydney will definitely have to control David Fifita – he was unbelievable. I saw some good signs from the Rabbitohs including a decent completion rate and I think they'll improve. Rabbitohs by 4.

Last Time They Met: Broncos v Rabbitohs - Round 23, 2019

Stat Attack

Adam Reynolds has shot out to an early lead in the point-scoring stakes after collecting 14 from five goals and a try in round one. Broncos fullback Jamayne Isaako (12) is second.

And another thing…

There was plenty of interest when these teams squared off last year because of the Bennett v Seibold factor. You can be sure Seibold will want to make amends in 2020 after the Bunnies prevailed 38-6 at home and 22-20 on Brisbane's home turf.

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.