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Match Preview

Bulldogs v Rabbitohs: Lewis recalled to face unchanged Bunnies

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The Bulldogs will be searching hard for a win so the Rabbitohs will have to watch that complacency doesn't cause a hiccup in their quest for their first hat-trick of victories in 2021.

The Bulldogs have now conceded 52 points without landing a punch - losing 28-0 to the Panthers and then 24-0 to the Broncos in rounds two and three.

Fortunes are the complete opposite for South Sydney, with five tries to beat Manly and four to roll the Roosters. 

So while this traditional Good Friday match might not have the close rivalry of past years - it's 15th versus 6th on the ladder - the Rabbitohs need to bring the right attitude.

Bulldogs v Rabbitohs

The rundown

Team news

Bulldogs: Dummy-half Jeremy Marshall-King suffered a mid-foot ligament injury against the Broncos and will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks. Sione Katoa has been named to replace him at hooker.

Nick Meaney moves to fullback in a straight swap with Corey Allan, while Lachlan Lewis gets a recall at five-eighth with Jake Averillo sidelined by an ankle injury.

Josh Jackson's suspension for a crusher tackle opens the door for Renouf Atoni to start while Jackson Topine and Dean Britt are the new faces on the bench.

Averillo and Chris Smith were the first two players omitted from the 21-man squad on Thursday. Brandon Wakeham and Matt Doorey were dropped an hour before kick-off to leave the Dogs 1-17.

Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and English forward Luke Thompson are due back from suspension in round five.

Rabbitohs: No changes to the 17 which took care of arch-rivals the Roosters in impressive fashion in round three.

Prop Junior Tatola did not train with the side on Monday due to a hamstring niggle but will play. Fellow prop Liam Knight has been ruled out indefinitely after suffering a head knock at training in February. 

Dean Hawkins and Troy Dargan were cut from the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off. Steven Marsters and Jacob Host suffered the same fate on game day.

Hame Sele (ribs) is at least another two weeks away while Taane Milne (knee), Braidon Burns (knee) and Blake Taaffe (ankle) are looking at around another month on the sideline.  

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick Meaney
    Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Corey Allan
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will Hopoate
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Dane Gagai
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Nick Cotric
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Tuipulotu Katoa
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Josh Mansour
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Lachlan Lewis
    Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
    Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Dylan Napa
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Thomas Burgess
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Sione Katoa
    Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Jack Hetherington
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Tevita Tatola
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Adam Elliott
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon  Koloamatangi 
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Waddell
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Renouf Atoni
    Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jackson Topine
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Benji Marshall
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Dean Britt
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark Nicholls
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Joe Stimson
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Patrick Mago
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Ofahiki Ogden
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jai Arrow

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated:

Key match-up 

Will Hopoate v Dane Gagai: The veterans face off with Hopoate eager to contain his opposite centre in Gagai. We know the potency of the whole Rabbitohs left edge but Hopoate is a good defender - he made 26 tackles against the Broncos last weekend despite being in a losing side.

Gagai is one try short of 60 for his NRL career so far, and this game presents a first-class opportunity to reach that milestone.

Stat attack 

Is 26 the Rabbitohs' new favourite number? They scored 26 points to beat Manly and then 26 points again to down the Roosters. Don't forget the Bulldogs beat the Rabbitohs the last time these two met in Round 19 last September - by, wait for it, 26-16.

 

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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.