The red-hot Rabbitohs meet Parramatta on Friday night with Jason Demetriou's side looking to inflict more pain on the 2022 grand finalists at Allianz Stadium.
South Sydney went overtook the Broncos to go top of the ladder following their 20-0 win over Wests Tigers in Round 11. While it wasn't as clinical as many expected, the side's defence held firm in a strong sign for Demetriou moving forward.
The Eels' tough draw and narrow losses to start 2023 is coming back to bite them leading into the Origin series with defeats to the Titans and Raiders dropping Brad Arthur's men to 14th after 11 rounds.
Recent form against the Bunnies is also a worry for Parramatta with the club suffering eight losses in their last nine starts, including a 26-0 shut-out and 30-12 loss last year.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Rabbitohs v Eels
Team news
Rabbitohs: No late changes to the playing 17 for the Bunnies, but Jai Arrow moves into the starting side at second row and Jacob Host drops back to the bench. Tom Burgess (back spasms) and Jed Cartwright (concussion) were both ruled out earlier in the week with Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Blake Taaffe coming into the 17. Shaquai Mitchell dropped out of the extended squad but has been named to make his return from a foot injury via NSW Cup.
Eels: Parramatta take the field as named on Tuesday, with Mitchell Moses back from concussion protocols and Jakob Arthur dropping to be 18th man. With Shaun Lane (hamstring) out, Bryce Cartwright takes the starting spot on the left edge and Makahesi Makatoa joins the bench.
Match: Rabbitohs v Eels
Round 12 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell MitchellFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah TassCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane MilneWinger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Eels is number 8 Wiremu Greig
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Eels is number 9 Josh Hodgson
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Hame SeleProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Michael Chee Kam2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jai Arrow2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Andrew Davey
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob HostInterchange for Eels is number 14 Ofahiki Ogden
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Blake TaaffeInterchange for Eels is number 15 Brendan Hands
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Liam KnightInterchange for Eels is number 16 Ryan Matterson
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Daniel Suluka-FifitaInterchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa
Reserves
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Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 19 Richard KennarReplacement for Eels is number 18 Jake Arthur
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- South Sydney have won eight of their last nine matches against the Eels, including the past six.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored seven tries in his last three games against the Eels, and 15 tries in 12 career games overall.
- The clash will be the first time both sides will meet at the new Allianz Stadium. Previously, they last met at the old venue in 2005.
- Maika Sivo has scored 14 tries in his past 10 games.
- Eels fullback Clint Gutherson has scored seven tries in his past eight games against the Rabbitohs.
- Latrell Mitchell requires two tries to reach the milestone of 100 NRL tries.
Match: Rabbitohs v Eels
Round 12 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
1st Position
away Team
Eels
10th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
