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Match Preview

Rabbitohs v Cowboys: COVID claims Cook; Dearden blow

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pan66.com
Timestamp

With the finals just a fortnight away the Rabbitohs and Cowboys put their premiership credentials on the line in a mouth-watering showdown at Accor Stadium.

Both sides will have designs on being at this venue on October 2 for the big dance but the first order of business for the Bunnies is to cement a place in the eight after a loss to Penrith left them vulnerable to the late charging Raiders.

The Rabbitohs have a tough finish against the Cowboys and Roosters but they showed in their wins over the Storm (round 19) and Eels (round 22) that their best is certainly good enough to rattle some cages in September.

The Cowboys have enjoyed a stunning renaissance under Todd Payten in 2022 and can put an exclamation mark on a brilliant season by beating last year's grand finalists in the last two rounds.

The Rundown

Team news

Rabbitohs: Tonga international Siliva Havili will start at hooker after Damien Cook was ruled out due to COVID protocols. Michael Chee Kam is the new player to join the bench. Winger Izaac Thompson has also been ruled out with a hamstring injury and will be replaced by Taane Milne. Bench forward Thomas Burgess returns after three games out with a groin injury so Hame Sele moves into the starting side and Daniel Suluka-Fifita drops out. Kodi Nikorima also returns from a hamstring injury on the bench. Greece hooker Peter Mamouzelos is 18th man.

Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater moves to five-eighth to replace Tom Dearden, who has had surgery to repair a ruptured testicle suffered against the Warriors. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is the new fullback and Tom Gilbert joins the bench. Reuben Cotter moves to the interchange in a late swap with Coen Hess, while Jake Granville was named in the final 17, with Griffin Neame dropping out. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Hamiso   Tabuai-Fidow
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
    Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
    Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
    Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 19 Taane Milne
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott  Drinkwater
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias
    Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
    Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 16 Siliva Havili
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Hame Sele
    Prop for Cowboys is number 15 Coen Hess
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
    Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Kodi Nikorima
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 10 Reuben Cotter
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark Nicholls
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Tom Gilbert
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Thomas Burgess
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne  Taunoa-Brown
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 22 Michael Chee Kam
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 20 Jake Granville

Reserves

  • Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 23 Peter Mamouzelos
    Replacement for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Key match-up

Latrell Mitchell v Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow: In a contest packed with enthralling one-on-one battles, the showdown between one of the form stars of the NRL and one of the fastest could be decisive. Mitchell's return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the Origin series has provided a huge boost for Souths. Tabuai-Fidow started the season as the Cowboys first choice fullback but after suffering an early injury Scott Drinkwater was given his chance and made the position his own. Tabuai-Fidow now has the chance to reclaim it after Drinkwater was shifted to five-eighth in place of the injured Tom Dearden. 

Stat Attack

The Cowboys had won just 12 games across the past two seasons on their way to finishing 14th in 2020 and 15th in 2021. They had equalled that tally of 12 wins by Round 16 this season when a 40-26 win over arch-rivals Brisbane took their record to 12-4.

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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.

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