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Rabbitohs v Panthers: Milne suspended; Cleary hamstrung

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The Penrith Panthers are chasing their third-straight victory as they return to NSW for a clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs

Ivan Cleary's side held on for a gritty 26-20 win over the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night, the Panthers defending their way to victory. 

Now they will take on a desperate Rabbitohs squad at Accor Stadium. 

South Sydney suffered a demoralising 54-20 loss to the Melbourne Storm on ANZAC Day and now have a new interim head coach in Ben Hornby, following the club parting ways with Jason Demetriou.

The Rabbitohs have so far won just one game this season, a 20-16 victory over the Bulldogs on Good Friday.

Fullback Jye Gray has emerged as an X-factor and is likely to provide Souths with an attacking spark. 

The Rabbitohs will be without Taane Milne who took the early guilty plea for a Grade Three Dangerous Contact charge and will miss the next two weeks. 

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Team News

Rabbitohs: No late changes after a big shuffle on Wednesday saw Jacob Gagai ruled out and Isaiah Tass shift to the wing. Michael Chee-Kam moves from back row to centre, with Keaon Koloamatangi named in the second row after initially being selected at prop. Jai Arrow now starts with Sean Keppie the new face on the bench. 

Panthers: A late change on game day sees Moses Leota shift to the bench and Lindsay Smith named to start at prop. Leota returned to the side this week after missing last week's win over the Cowboys due to a shoulder injury. The late switch comes after Nathan Cleary was ruled out as a precautionary measure (hamstring) on Wednesday with Brad Schneider coming in at halfback. Jack Cole also joins the bench for the defending premiers, who welcome Sunia Turuva back on the wing. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
    Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 4 Isaiah Tass
    Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack Wighton
    Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 11 Michael Chee Kam
    Centre for Panthers is number 4 Taylan May
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson
    Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
    Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Dean Hawkins
    Halfback for Panthers is number 20 Brad Schneider

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Davvy Moale
    Prop for Panthers is number 10 James   Fisher-Harris
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
    Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jai Arrow
    Prop for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 8 Keaon Koloamatangi
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
    Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
    Interchange for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva Havili
    Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Matthew Eisenhuth
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas Burgess
    Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik Geyer
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Sean Keppie
    Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Jack Cole

Reserves

  • Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Tallis Duncan
    Replacement for Panthers is number 22 Tyrone Peachey

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Rabbitohs have won only one of their past six games against the Panthers.
  • The Panthers have won 10 of their past 12 games at Accor Stadium.
  • Rabbitohs winger Jacob Gagai has scored three tries from two NRL appearances.
  • Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 10 tries in 10 games at Accor Stadium.
  • The Rabbitohs are conceding an average of 36 points per game in 2024.

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

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