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Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs: Bula ruled out; Chee Kam sidelined

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Two proud clubs are playing for pride for the remainder of the season, with Wests Tigers back at their home at Campbelltown to take on the Rabbitohs. 

Both come into this game with Round 23 losses, but showed heart, with the Bunnies fighting back in their second half against the Storm after being down 22-4 at half-time to eventually lose 28-16. 

Fletcher Myers scored two tries in his second appearance while skipper Cam Murray was the other player to cross the line.

The Tigers also left themselves too much to do after falling behind 22-12 at half-time of their match against the Knights before their eventually 34-18 loss.

Wests Tigers halfback Aidan Sezer was unable to finish the game against the Knights and was seen on the team bench icing his knee. After the game, coach Benji Marshall said he did not think it was a structural issue, but instead was bone bruising.

Young half Latu Fainu is listed as 18th man after sitting out the past week due to concussion protocols. 

The Rabbitohs will be without back-rower Michael Chee Kam after he picked up a calf strain against the Storm but Taane Milne is available after copping a $3000 fine on a tripping charge but avoiding suspension.

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Team News

Wests Tigers: Winger Luke Laulilii returns from the concussion protocols and takes over from Solomon Alaimalo. In the forwards, Alex Seyfarth will start in place of Reuben Porter who has dropped to the reserves, Sione Fainu is the new face on the bench. Halfback Aidan Sezer has been named to play despite leaving the field late with a knee problem against the Knights. The Wests Tigers confirmed on Thursday afternoon that fullback Jahream Bula is out for the season after undergoing surgery on his shoulder. The injury sees Heath Mason come into the side at fullback. There were no further changes when the team was finalised 60 minutes before kick off, with Reuben Porter the 18th man.

Rabbitohs: Just the one change to the starting side with Tallis Duncan coming into the back row for Michael Chee Kam (calf strain). The new man on the bench is Jacob Host, who has recovered from an abdominal strain suffered in Round 22 against the Sharks. No changes for South Sydney when the side was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off, with Dean Hawkins named as 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 19 Heath Mason
    Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Luke Laulilii
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Fletcher Myers
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane Milne
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Adam Doueihi
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Richard Kennar
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jacob Gagai
  • Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
    Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Jack Wighton
  • Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer
    Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Cody Walker

Forwards

  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Davvy Moale
  • Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
    Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean Keppie
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Alex Seyfarth
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi 
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan
  • Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'i
    Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Interchange

  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter  Mamouzelos
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jacob Host
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Fonua Pole
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas Burgess
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Twal
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Shaquai Mitchell

Reserves

  • Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 20 Reuben Porter
    Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Dean Hawkins

Match Officials

  • Referee: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Wests Tigers have won only one of their past 11 games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
  • The Rabbitohs have won eight of their past nine games against Wests Tigers.
  • Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored five tries in his past six games.
  • The Rabbitohs play their first game at Campbelltown since 1999.
  • Wests Tigers winger Charlie Staines has scored three tries in three games at Campbelltown.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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.