South Sydney and the Broncos will meet for the 35th time since 1998 but never before have the Rabbitohs lined up against one of their favourite sons, former skipper Adam Reynolds.
The return of Reynolds to Accor Stadium on Thursday night is sure to put bums on seats after the 31-year-old missed the season opener in March due to COVID-19 protocols.
While all eyes will be on the former premiership-winner's comeback to the hallow turf, both sides are coming off victories in round eight and are four wins and four losses each to start the season.
Brisbane have turned a corner in recent weeks, particularly in defence, to upset the Sharks and jag a win over the Bulldogs. They'll head into this clash looking to win three games in a row for the first time since May, 2019.
The Rabbitohs got over their shock loss to the Wests Tigers with a 40-22 win over the Sea Eagles on the Central Coast last start, but did play against 12 men for the majority of the contest after Karl Lawton's first half send off.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Rabbitohs v Broncos
The Rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: A few late changes for the Bunnies. Tom Burgess is out with Davvy Moale promoted to start after he came in for Hame Sele. Trent Peoples will make his NRL debut off the bench. Isaiah Tass keeps his spot in the centres with Taane Milne returning from suspension to take the place of Josh Mansour. Peter Mamouzelos is the new 18th man.
Broncos: There are no late changes for the visitors. Jake Turpin won't return this week after he was dropped out of the squad. Payne Haas and Kurt Capewell have been replaced in the run-on side by Patrick Carrigan and TC Robati with the Broncos unchanged from the side that was named earlier in the week.
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 9 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Blake TaaffeFullback for Broncos is number 1 Te Maire Martin
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah TassCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 19 Taane MilneWinger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tyson Gamble
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 24 Davvy MoaleProp for Broncos is number 10 Patrick Carrigan
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Teui Robati
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Siliva HaviliInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory Paix
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Liam KnightInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Rhys Kennedy
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jaxson PauloInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Thomas Flegler
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Trent PeoplesInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Keenan Palasia
Reserves
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Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 21 Peter MamouzelosReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Brenko Lee
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Lachlan Ilias v Adam Reynolds: The master and the apprentice go head-to-head in the battle of the halfbacks after Ilias worked under Reynolds for two seasons. Although the real match up will be Reynolds against his old mate Cody Walker on the same edge, Ilias is getting more comfortable in the No.7 jersey eight weeks into the competition. Reynolds has started to find his own groove at Red Hill, playing a huge part in the Broncos' latest wins.
Stat attack
The Rabbitohs are dominating the post-metres this season with 4,957 to start the year. Brisbane aren't too far behind on 4,577 with Broncos prop Payne Haas leading the competition with 532 alone. South Sydney's best is Keaon Koloamatangi (420) and Campbell Graham (409) on the right edge.
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 9 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
9th Position
away Team
Broncos
8th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
