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Match Preview

Rabbitohs v Cowboys: Latrell still sidelined; Taumalolo drops out

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While the Rabbitohs got to put their feet up during a bye in Round 16, games don't come much tougher than what the Cowboys had to endure last Friday. 

In a contest which lasted 88 minutes in total, North Queensland earned victory over the Panthers at home thanks to some individual brilliance from Scott Drinkwater in the second period of golden point, but it remains to be seen what toll that might take on them this week. 

Prior to the bye the Rabbitohs had arguably their worst showing of the year in a 36-30 loss to the Dragons, which was made to look better by three late tries which reduced the final margin. 

Recent history is firmly against the Cowboys in this one, with just under six years having passed since they last tasted victory over South Sydney and the Rabbitohs enjoying seven straight wins against them. 

At Accor Stadium this year the Bunnies have won four of six, while the Cowboys have lost four of their past five at the venue. 

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Rabbitohs v Cowboys

Team News

Rabbitohs: A late switch sees Jacob Host start in the second row and Jed Cartwright move back to the bench, while Peter Mamouzelos joins the bench at the expense of Michael Chee Kam. Damien Cook and Cameron Murray will both start after playing for NSW mid-week, while Cody Walker returns from a quad strain. Tom Burgess makes his return from a back injury via the bench. Coach Jason Demetriou confirmed on Saturday that Latrell Mitchell won't return until Round 21 due to a lingering calf injury. 

Cowboys: All five Origin representatives will back up after initially being named in the extended reserves, with Murray Taulagi, Val Holmes, Reece Robson and Jeremiah Nanai starting. Reuben Cotter will come off the bench after playing all 80 minutes for Queensland on Wednesday night and making a team-high 44 tackles. Kyle Feldt drops out of the 17 to be the replacement player, while Jake Granville replaces Jason Taumalolo (hamstring) at lock.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Blake Taaffe
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott  Drinkwater 
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Semi Valemei
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
    Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
    Centre for Cowboys is number 22 Valentine Holmes
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Richard Kennar
    Winger for Cowboys is number 24 Murray Taulagi
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
  • 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 9 Damien Cook
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 20 Reece Robson
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Hame Sele
    Prop for Cowboys is number 10 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 20 Jacob Host
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 21 Jeremiah Nanai
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
    Lock for Cowboys is number 9 Jake Granville

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jed Cartwright
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 12 Kulikefu   Finefeuiaki
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Davvy Moale
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Thomas Burgess
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown  
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Peter Mamouzelos
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 23 Reuben Cotter

Reserves

  • Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 14 Michael Chee Kam
    Replacement for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Rabbitohs have won their past seven games against the Cowboys.
  • The Cowboys have won only two from seven against top-eight opposition in 2023.
  • Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored six tries in his past three games against the Cowboys
  • On average North Queensland miss 10 tackles more than the Rabbitohs in games this season. The Cowboys are the NRL's worst offender, averaging 38.5 misses per match, while the Rabbitohs have the second fewest at an average of 28.5.
  • Reece Robson and Damien Cook have the same number of total dummy-half runs (81) this season.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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