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Match Preview

Rabbitohs v Raiders: Sele in for Moale; Raiders lose Frawley, Sutton

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Timestamp

South Sydney travel to Dubbo's Apex Oval on Saturday to host the Raiders in a clash they'll be looking to turn around last year's result at the regional venue. 

Their last opponents in Dubbo, eventual premiers Penrith, put them to the sword with a 56-12 thrashing.

Not many would've predicted both those sides would be lining up a few months later in the big dance, but the Rabbitohs proved last year that a result like that can be a catalyst for change. 

This week's opponents, the Raiders, are on a roll after upsetting the Sharks in Magic Round in dominant fashion.

Ricky Stuart's side have strung two wins together and look like a team to have turned a corner after a tough start to the year.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Rabbitohs v Raiders

The Rundown

Team news

Rabbitohs: Hame Sele comes in for Davvy Moale after overcoming a calf complaint in the only change for South Sydney following their tight win at Magic Round.

Raiders: A couple of late changes before kick-off with Brad Schneider coming into the halves for Matt Frawley while Harry Rushton comes onto the bench with Ryan Sutton out. The Raiders moved Corey Harawira-Naera to 18th man on Saturday with Adam Elliott to start at lock. Zac Woolford gets another start at hooker. Prop forward Josh Papalii will play his 250th NRL game.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Blake Taaffe
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jaxson Paulo
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane Milne
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias
    Halfback for Raiders is number 19 Brad Schneider

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
    Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
    Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Trent Peoples
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Jai Arrow
    Lock for Raiders is number 18 Adam Elliott

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Kodi Nikorima
    Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Siliva Havili
    Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Xavier Savage
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam Knight
    Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Horsburgh
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 24 Hame Sele
    Interchange for Raiders is number 20 Harry Rushton

Reserves

  • Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 19 Isaiah Tass
    Replacement for Raiders is number 13 Corey  Harawira-Naera 

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated:

Key match-up

Cody Walker v Jack Wighton: The battle of the five-eighths will be key to watch on Saturday with Jack Wighton's return to the Raiders setting up an intriguing match-up between two Indigenous All Stars representatives. Wighton has missed the past fortnight through suspension with the Raiders going on a two-game winning run without him. Walker was dynamite against the Warriors in the first half last week and will want to replicate that against a Raiders' right-side edge that will need to be on high alert.

Stat Attack

Ill-discipline has been a bit of an issue for both sides in 2022 with the Rabbitohs (109) leading the unwanted stat in handling errors and the Raiders giving away the most penalties to start the year with 75. Canberra's 102 handling errors also ranks in the top five, indicating neither team is afraid at throwing the ball around but must also be willing to shut-up shop when required and get through their sets.

Related

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.