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Roosters v Rabbitohs: Naiqama in for Suaalii; Demetriou to miss clash

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One of the game's great rivalries will mark the official opening of the new Allianz Stadium, with the winner set to secure a home match for the opening week of the finals. 

Since their bye in round 17 the Roosters haven't lost a game and last week knocked off another of the NRL's form sides, the Storm, in a gritty contest at AAMI Park. 

The Rabbitohs too had a statement win last up, overcoming the late loss of star hooker Damien Cook to a positive COVID-19 test to beat the Cowboys.

Earlier this year South Sydney were 28-16 winners over their old foes at Accor Stadium. 

Sportsbet Betting preview: Roosters v Rabbitohs

The Rundown

Team news

Roosters: Boom youngster Joseph Suaalii has been withdrawn on Thursday  after sustaining a shoulder injury last week. His place is taken by Kevin Naiqama. The loss of Victor Radley (concussion), Daniel Tupou (groin) and Lindsay Collins (suspension) sees Siosiua Taukeiaho and Paul Momirovski join the starting side with Terrell May and Oliver Gildart the new faces on the bench, with the Englishman replacing Fletcher Baker when the teams were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. 

Rabbitohs: Damien Cook has been sidelined by COVID so Siliva Havili again fills the hooking role. Centre Campbell Graham is out injured, replaced in the starting side by Jaxson Paulo. Utility Kodi Nikorima was initially named as 18th Man with Peter Mamouzelos taking his place on the bench but he received a late call-up in place of Michael Chee Kam when the squads were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. Coach Jason Demetriou also tested positive to COVID during the week so he will miss the blockbuster clash.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Paul Momirovski
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Drew Hutchison
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jaxson Paulo
  • Winger for Roosters is number 20 Kevin Naiqama
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane Milne
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
    Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
    Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
    Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Siliva Havili
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Matthew Lodge
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon  Koloamatangi
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Siosiua Taukeiaho
    Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter  Mamouzelos 
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark Nicholls
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Hame Sele
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 21 Oliver Gildart
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Kodi Nikorima

Reserves

  • Replacement for Roosters is number 16 Fletcher Baker
    Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 17 Michael Chee Kam

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Key match-up

James Tedesco v Latrell Mitchell: The clash between these two superstar fullbacks is almost worth the price of admission on its own. The one-time Tricolours teammates are the key attacking weapons for their respective sides, with Mitchell averaging the most try assists per game (1.2) in the whole competition and Tedesco the NRL's top tackle breaker, averaging 7.3 per game.  

Stat Attack

Alex Johnston has enjoyed the most prolific try-scoring regular season of his career in 2022, with his 28 four-pointers taking him past his previous best normal season mark of 27, achieved last year. With the finals approaching, the 27-year-old needs just two tries to equal his best season tally (including finals) of 30, again achieved in 2021. In addition to leading the try-scoring tally, Johnston's 37 line breaks are also the most in the NRL, putting him 10 clear of second-ranked Ronaldo Mulitalo. 

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.