Rugby league's oldest rivalry cranks up again at Allianz Stadium as the Roosters and Rabbitohs meet in a do-or-die elimination final.
After christening the new stadium in front of a full house on Friday night, the foundation clubs meet again with the winner marching on and the loser left to plan for 2023.
A number of stars were left battered and bruised after the Round 25 clash and will be racing the clock to be fit for Sunday's return bout.
Regardless of who takes the field, the battle between sixth and seventh is guaranteed to be tense and tough and emotions are sure to run high if the last 114 years are anything to go by.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Roosters v Rabbitohs
The Rundown
Team news
Roosters: Kevin Naiqama is a late addition to the Roosters' bench, taking the place of Adam Keighran who drops back to be the replacement player. Matt Lodge starts in the front row, with Sio Siua Taukeiaho reverting to the interchange. Returning players Daniel Tupou (groin), Joseph Suaalii (shoulder) and Victor Radley (concussion) are all good to go, as are prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (hamstring) and hooker Sam Verrills (finger), who picked up injuries in round 25.
Rabbitohs: No late changes, with skipper Cameron Murray, who suffered a head knock in round 25, taking his place at lock. Hooker Damien Cook returns after overcoming COVID so Siliva Havili goes to the interchange and Peter Mamouzelos drops out. Star centre Campbell Graham (head knock) is also back on deck, pushing Jaxson Paulo to the reserves list.
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Key match-up
Sam Walker v Lachlan Ilias: The two youngest halfbacks in this year's finals series square off with the weight of the world on their shoulders and the fate of their team in their hands. Walker, 20, has enjoyed a stellar second season at the top level, coming up with seven tries and 90 goals of his own while laying on 15 try assists for team-mates. Ilias, 22, has been the centre of attention all year after taking over from Adam Reynolds and has shown great composure to rack up 11 try assists, 11 line break assists 15 forced dropouts. Many more finals lay ahead for these two young guns but only one can move on to the second week in 2022 and their showdown should be a beauty.
Stat Attack
Alex Johnston put together a stunning season with 28 tries and 38 line breaks to lead the NRL in both categories with daylight second. Between Rounds 16 and 24 the Rabbitohs flyer scored 14 tries, had 18 line breaks and broke 21 tackles, but on Friday night at Allianz Stadium the Roosters did a mighty job of cutting off supply to the winger and his influence was minimal (68 metres from five runs). The 27-year-old needs two more tries to equal his club record of 30 set last season.
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