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Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles: Gray in for Latrell; Injuries test depth

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The Rabbitohs will look to continue their resurgence under interim coach Ben Hornby when they take on the Sea Eagles without their Origin stars in a pivotal clash on Saturday night.

South Sydney extended their winning streak to three in a row with arguably their finest performance of the season to down Brisbane in Round 15 – a 22-12 victory that keeps the cardinal and myrtle within touching distance of the top eight.

If they are to make a fairytale run into the finals after a slow start to the year, they'll need to get the job done against a Manly side that showed tremendous courage to down the Dragons 30-14 on home soil last weekend.

Having lost four of their last five heading into the game, Anthony Seibold's side were forced to dig deep with a number of in-game injuries leaving players out of position and no healthy players on the bench, but a masterclass from skipper Daly Cherry-Evans once again got the Sea Eagles over the line.

To preserve their place inside the top eight, Manly will need to do it without their inspirational leader this week with Cherry-Evans joining Haumole Olakau'atu and Jake Trbojevic in their respective Origin camps, while the Rabbitohs will be without Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell after their Origin recalls.

Having played each other 44 times in the Premiership era, both teams have won 22 games apiece with the Rabbitohs winning seven of the last eight – their one defeat coming in the season opener earlier this year in Las Vegas. 

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Team News

Rabbitohs: Jye Gray makes his return from an ankle injury, taking over at fullback from Blues rep Latrell Mitchell, while Jai Arrow is good to play after overcoming a ribs injury. No late changes, with Dion Teaupa the replacement player. 

Sea Eagles: A late shuffle sees Gordon Chan Kum Tong drop off the bench and Jaxson Paulo come into the starting side at centre, with Aaron Schoupp reverting to the back row, Corey Waddell going to prop and Ethan Bullemor moving back to the interchange. Toafofoa Sipley is good to go despite battling a knee concern during the week. Nathan Brown and Luke Brooks captain the side. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
    Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Lehi Hopoate
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
    Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane Milne
    Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Richard Kennar
    Centre for Sea Eagles is number 19 Jaxson Paulo
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jacob Gagai
    Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Tommy Talau
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Cody Walker
    Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Karl Lawton

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Davvy Moale
    Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa Sipley
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
    Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean Keppie
    Prop for Sea Eagles is number 11 Corey Waddell
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Michael Chee Kam
    2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 4 Aaron Schoupp
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
    2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Keaon Koloamatangi
    Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 8 Ethan Bullemor
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tallis Duncan
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Ben Condon
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas Burgess
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Caleb Navale
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam Le Blanc
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Aitasi James

Reserves

  • Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Dion Teaupa
    Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Clayton Faulalo

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Rabbitohs have won seven of their past eight games against the Sea Eagles.
  • The Sea Eagles have not won consecutive games against the Rabbitohs since 2010.
  • The Rabbitohs have scored 110 points in their past three games.
  • The Sea Eagles have not defeated the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium since 2013.
  • Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 15 tries in 16 games against the Sea Eagles.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,  

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