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Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers: Murray makes timely return; Tigers lose Twal

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pan66.com
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The Rabbitohs have found the going tough in 2022 as injuries to stars Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray have hit hard and their new-look spine has struggled for cohesion.

Souths have already lost more games than they did all season in 2021 and their devastating left-side attack seems to have deserted them.

In contrast the Tigers have gradually found their feet and the inclusion of Brent Naden gives them another strike weapon out wide.

When the sides met in round seven it was the Tigers coming away with an upset 23-22 victory on the back of a late Luke Brooks field goal so Michael Maguire's men will have plenty of belief heading into Saturday's rematch.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers

The Rundown

Latest team news

Rabbitohs: Mark Nicholls has been promoted to the starting side in his first game back from an ankle injury. Tevita Tatola is out after failing to recover from a head knock. Captain Cameron Murray will start at lock in his return from a shoulder injury with Hame Sele shifting to the bench. Kodi Nikorima is a surprise start at fullback with Blake Taaffe dropping back to the interchange list. Shaquai Mitchell has been added to the bench for his second career game with Liam Knight out.

Wests Tigers: Good news for Michael Maguire's side with Daine Laurie (knee), Luke Brooks (hamstring) and Jackson Hastings (foot) set to play their first game together since defeating the Rabbitohs in round seven. Alex Twal has been ruled out, however, with Alex Seyfarth taking his place on the bench. Tyrone Peachey is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 17 Kodi Nikorima
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Asu Kepaoa
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jaxson Paulo
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Brent Naden
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane Milne
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Luke Brooks
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James Tamou
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake Simpkin
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark Nicholls
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Zane Musgrove
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 24 Cameron Murray
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 1 Blake Taaffe
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Kelma Tuilagi
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 13 Hame Sele
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Fa'amanu Brown
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Siliva Havili
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Stefano  Utoikamanu 
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 21 Shaquai Mitchell
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Alex Seyfarth

Reserves

  • Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Josh Mansour
    Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 21 Tyrone Peachey

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Key match-up

Cody Walker v Luke Brooks: The Bunnies' spiritual leader looked out of sorts in Dubbo but he's sure to be primed for something special in Indigenous Round. If the Rabbitohs are to turn their fortunes around it starts with Walker playing up-tempo and bringing his trademark energy to the table. Brooks' return from a hamstring injury is a massive boost for the Tigers and he'll resume his combination with Jackson Hastings which was proving so effective. Since moving to No.6 in round six, Brooks has racked up four try assists, two line breaks and 12 tackle breaks, revelling in the extra freedom of playing wider and letting Hastings control the game.

Stat Attack

The Rabbitohs have scored 42 tries in 11 rounds this season compared to 45 tries at the same stage last season but they have won just five games compared to eight at the corresponding stage in 2021. The Tigers have 29 tries after 11 rounds compared to 38 at the same time last year.

 

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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.