The Warriors' rollercoaster ride continued on Sunday when they failed to overcome a 12-man Sharks outfit while the Rabbitohs were outgunned for the second time this season by the Broncos.
Both sides are 4-5 after nine rounds and desperately searching for consistency, particularly the Rabbitohs, who have already lost more games than they did in the entire 2021 season when they charged all the way to the grand final.
Life without premiership winning halfback Adam Reynolds was never going to be easy and the adjustment has been made that much tougher by Latrell Mitchell's injury.
The Warriors have had injury dramas of their own and have been forced to shuffle their spine on several occasions as they look for the right mix to carry them back to the finals for the fist time in four years.
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The Rundown
Team news
Warriors: Tohu Harris will make his eagerly awaited return from an ACL injury from the interchange bench, with Eliesa Katoa promoted to start in the second-row when the line-up was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. Jazz Tevaga shifts to hooker to cover for Wayde Egan, while Euan Aitken (concussion) is also a late withdrawal. Jack Murchie replaces Aitken in the second-row. New recruit Freddy Lussick will make his first appearance for the Warriors on the bench after moving mid-week from the Roosters.
Rabbitohs: Cody Walker will captain the side in the absence of Cameron Murray, who was sent for scans on neck and shoulder injuries on Tuesday. Jacob Host returns from a shoulder injury in the second row and Jai Arrow goes back to lock to cover for Murray. There were no late changes when the final line-up was submitted.
Prop Thomas Burgess returns after he was a late withdrawal from the Broncos game with a back injury so Davvy Moale goes to the bench. Jaxson Paulo has been promoted to the starting side at centre after coming off the bench last week. Isaiah Tass is out.
New recruit Kodi Nikorima comes straight into the 17 on the bench and will line up against the club he parted ways with this week.
There were no further changes when the squad was cut to 19 on Friday.
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Key match-up
Jazz Tevaga v Damien Cook: The late withdrawal of Wayde Egan sees the combative Tevaga pitched into the hooking role and he'll add plenty of aggression in defence. Tevaga and Cook are both fierce competitors who are always up for the fight and will leave nothing in the tank. Cook is due for a big one with Origin looming and he'll run riot through the middle if the Warriors allow him any freedom.
Stat attack
The Warriors are ranked 13th in the NRL for line breaks with 29 in nine games while the Rabbitohs rank fifth with 42 line breaks. Alex Johnston leads the way for the Bunnies with eight line breaks to go with 30 tackle breaks and six ttries.
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