Friday night will see the latest chapter written in a fierce 115-year rivalry, with the Sydney Roosters set to travel to Accor Stadium to face the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their own backyard.
Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Friday night will be the 250th time the two foundation clubs come head to head since 1908, and while the Rabbitohs have had the better of the last three encounters, it is the Roosters who have the upper hand over the course of the last decade, winning 14 of the 27 games over their rivals since 2010.
Going back to 2002, the Roosters can lay claim to 26 victories out of 43 matches, including the 2018 preliminary and 2019 qualifying finals.
How They Line Up
Fresh off an impressive performance against Manly last week, Trent Robinson has opted to stick with the same 17 players this week, albeit with some positional changes.
Most notably, Nat Butcher has earned a spot in the starting side after crossing the stripe twice last week, with Angus Crichton playing an impact role off the bench.
Billy Smith moves out to the wing, allowing Paul Momirovski to slot into the centres.
Meanwhile, Taane Milne has been named at centre for the Rabbitohs with Jaxson Paulo on the wing.
Cam Murray has been named to start after captaining the side off the bench last week.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 3 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell MitchellFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane MilneCentre for Roosters is number 3 Paul Momirovski
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Roosters is number 5 Billy Smith
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sam Walker
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay Collins
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Mark NichollsProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jacob HostInterchange for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva HaviliInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher Baker
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas BurgessInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Angus Crichton
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam KnightInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Reserves
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Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Josh MansourReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Lachlan Lam
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key Match Up: Siosiua Taukeiaho vs Mark Nicholls
With rain predicted for the Sydney area on Friday night, this will be a contest fought in the middle of the park.
Siosiua Taukeiaho was one of the Roosters best last week after forcing his way back into the starting side and will be primed for a repeat performance this weekend.
Taukeiaho has run for almost 400 metres in his two appearances this season, as well as making 56 tackles to ensure he is equally as damaging without the football in his hand.
Up against his opposite number, this week taking the form of cult-sensation Mark Nicholls, Taukeiaho will be keen to assert his position as one of the game's best forwards.
Nicholls has also had an impressive start to his 2022 campaign, running for 248 metres and making 42 tackles in his two games, against Brisbane and Melbourne.
There's no doubting whoever gets the upper hand in the middle of this contest will go along way towards securing the two points when all is said and done.
What Our Boys Said
Last week was about focusing on ourselves and what we need to do to play our best footy. We're looking to do the same this week.
James Tedesco
It's always a great game when we come up against Souths, and something we look forward to every year. We're really looking forward to Friday night.
Nat Butcher
It's all about us this week. We're just looking to improve again and get our game right for the weekend.
Drew Hutchison
Tedesco: "What We Need to Do to Play Our Best Footy"
Your Verdict
It's always a brutal encounter when we come up against our fierce rivals, and both sides will have plenty to play for on Friday night. The match will double as the first leg in the Ron Coote Cup, with the Roosters looking to regain the prized piece of silverware.
If you can't make it out to Accor Stadium, make sure you enjoy the next-best experience to being there at Easts Leagues! The match will be live and loud on the big screen, with 49% off drinks for the first two hours from full time.
