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Rabbitohs v Cowboys: Welcome back, AJ: Feldt out, Taulagi in

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Timestamp

Just two years after both were playing in preliminary finals the Rabbitohs and Cowboys find themselves languishing in 17th and 12th place respectively and desperate to turn their season around.

The Rabbitohs have won just five of their past 22 matches dating back to Round 12 last year and are faced with a crippling injury toll on top of a complete lack of form and confidence.

Prolific winger Alex Johnston is a chance to return from a hamstring injury in Brisbane and Latrell Mitchell will be better for the run after coming back against the Dragons, but the Bunnies' problems lay much closer to the middle of the field than the backline.

They are being dominated up front and struggling for any sort of momentum, making them vulnerable to a Cowboys pack capable of riding roughshod over any opponent on their day.

Sadly for Todd Payten those days have been few and far between in 2024, with the Cowboys now on a five-game losing streak after leaving themselves too much to do in the closing stages against the Titans.

It seems an eternity since the Cowboys kicked off 2024 with three wins on the trot against the Dolphins, Knights and Dragons, racking up 110 points in the process, but if they can rediscover that potency they will fancy their chances of rolling over a Rabbitohs side conceding 35ppg this season.

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Team News

Rabbitohs: Prolific tryscorer Alex Johnston returns from a hamstring injury for his first game since Round 4 while Jacob Gagai is also back on deck from a calf injury on the other wing. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson shifts to the centres and Michael Chee Kam is out. Taane Milne will return from suspension on the interchange bench. Last week's debutant Matt French is the 18th man.

Cowboys: Braidon Burns will make his North Queensland debut after a mid-season transfer from South Sydney following the withdrawal of Kyle Feldt on Friday. Todd Payten welcomes back Murray Taulagi on the other wing, and prop Jordan McLean, from hamstring injuries. Semi Valemei sustained an ankle injury against the Titans and is set for surgery. Thomas Mikaele moves to the bench while Harrison Edwards selected as the 18th man. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott  Drinkwater
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack Wighton
    Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson
    Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jacob Gagai
    Winger for Cowboys is number 21 Braidon Burns
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Dion Teaupa
    Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Davvy Moale
    Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean Keppie
    Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin Neame
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Siliva Havili
    Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyre
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tallis Duncan
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas Burgess
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kulikefu  Finefeuiaki 
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Taane Milne
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Jason Taumalolo

Reserves

  • Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 19 Matthew French
    Replacement for Cowboys is number 20 Harrison Edwards

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Rabbitohs have won all four Magic Round games.
  • The Cowboys have won three of their past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
  • Rabbitohs centre Jack Wighton will make his 250th NRL appearance.
  • Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored seven tries in five games at Suncorp Stadium.
  • The Rabbitohs have won seven of their past eight games against the Cowboys.

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

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.