Roosters vs Rabbitohs:Foundation Rivalry Kicks Off in 2021
Another chapter in Book of Feuds is ready to be written.
With the Roosters signing teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii from the Rabbitohs in the off-season, the premiership's oldest rivalry is alive and well.
Each team enters the third round with strong form - the Roosters accounted for Manly and the Wests Tigers while the Rabbitohs bounced back from their season-opening loss to Melbourne to outlast the Sea Eagles in the wet on Saturday.
South Sydney towelled up the Tricolours when the teams last met in the final round of the 2020 season.
Rabbitohs v Roosters
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 3 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
7th Position
away Team
Roosters
3rd Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: There were no changes on match day with South Sydney's line-up confirmed 1-17 at the final cut-down. The men to miss out were Jacob Host and Steven Marsters.
Coach Wayne Bennett had confirmed on Thursday that halfback Adam Reynolds would take his place in the blockbuster.
"He's done all his tests and protocols and he's good," Bennett said of his star playmaker.
Prop Junior Tatola is also good to go after overcoming a hamstring complaint.
Winger Josh Mansour has been recalled to the starting side to replace Jaxson Paulo, who has suffered two concussions in recent weeks and will be rested.
Middle forward Liam Knight resumed contact training last week after his own bout of concussion but is still not expected back until round four.
Tautau Moga and Troy Dargan were the players trimmed from the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off.
The Rabbitohs claimed their biggest ever win over the Roosters (60-8) when these teams last met.
The rivalry, the record and the aftermath: Rabbitohs-Roosters to re-ignite
Roosters: Interchange forward Nat Butcher failed to make the final 17 with last week's try-scoring debutant Fletcher Baker taking his place on the bench. Matt Ikuvalu is the other match-day omission.
Victor Radley's return from injury has been delayed due to a minor shoulder injury with Drew Hutchison replacing him on the bench. Sam Walker was the other player to drop out of the playing squad on Thursday night.
Angus Crichton will return from a one-match suspension for a crusher tackle on the right edge.
Hooker and captain Jake Friend (concussion) is missing again this week while his understudy Sam Verrills (knee) is still a couple of weeks away from making his return from ACL surgery.
The Roosters have won their opening three games only once in the past 17 seasons.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 3 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell MitchellFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Josh MansourWinger for Roosters is number 5 Brett Morris
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Lachlan Lam
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Thomas BurgessProp for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay Collins
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Roosters is number 9 Freddy Lussick
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Tevita TatolaProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jaydn Su'a2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Roosters is number 13 Isaac Liu
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Benji MarshallInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark NichollsInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Patrick MagoInterchange for Roosters is number 18 Drew Hutchison
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jai ArrowInterchange for Roosters is number 21 Fletcher Baker
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Adam Reynolds v Luke Keary: The opposing halfbacks have been instrumental in their respective team's attack this season as each side looks to iron out a few kinks after personnel changes in the summer.
Reynolds' kicking game is one of the best in the Telstra Premiership while Keary is adapting to his new role as the Roosters' chief on-field organiser.
Stat attack
60 points - it's a total which still touches the nerves of Roosters fans following their 52-point loss to the Rabbitohs in round 20 last year. Souths winger Alex Johnston registered five tries in that game and Adam Reynolds booted 10 goals in their record-breaking victory.
Head to NRL Pick'Em and get pickin’ to win a share of $100,000 cash every week!
What will be the result in this Telstra Premiership clash?
To participate in the survey, you must be logged in to your NRL account.
Sign UpAlready have an NRL Account?
Sign up to a FREE NRL Account and unlock this content. Creating an NRL Account is easy and will give you access to exclusive content, featured editorials, special ticketing offers, free competitions and much more.
Not sure? Learn more about an NRL Account .
