The game's longest rivalry will enter a new page in history as the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs duke it out for the very first time in the brand-new home of the Roosters on Friday night.
Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Tricolours should have every reason to be confident in breaking their run of four consecutive defeats against their arch-rivals as they hit top form on the back of a seven-game winning run.
Souths haven't been in bad shape either in recent weeks - winning seven of their last nine matches including scalps over the Storm, Eels and Cowboys, joining the Roosters in solidifying a spot in the 2022 finals series last round.
Both sides will be missing key men for various reasons, but no matter the health of their squad or ladder positions, we all know that there is always plenty of pride on the line as they face off for the sixteenth Ron Coote Cup.
How They Line Up:
Trent Robinson's side has had a handful of changes following the tense victory over the Melbourne Storm in Round 24, with Daniel Tupou, Victor Radley and Lindsay Collins all unavailable.
A new-look backline has Captain James Tedesco at fullback, Paul Momirovski is on the wing in place of Tupou with Drew Hutchison in the centres, while Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii pair up on the right after a mid-game reshuffle last week.
Luke Keary and Sam Walker once again line up in the no.6 and no.7 jerseys respectively, while the front row remains intact with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sam Verrills and Matt Lodge named.
Match: Roosters v Rabbitohs
Round 25 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Paul MomirovskiWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Drew HutchisonCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jaxson Paulo
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Winger for Roosters is number 20 Kevin NaiqamaWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane Milne
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Siliva Havili
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Matthew LodgeProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Siosiua TaukeiahoLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan ButcherInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark Nicholls
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell MayInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Hame Sele
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Interchange for Roosters is number 21 Oliver GildartInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Kodi Nikorima
Reserves
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Replacement for Roosters is number 16 Fletcher BakerReplacement for Rabbitohs is number 17 Michael Chee Kam
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
The back row consists of Angus Crichton and Nat Butcher, while Siosiua Taukeiaho will wear the no.13 jersey this week in Radley's absence to round off the starting side.
Connor Watson, Egan Butcher, Fletcher Baker and Terrell May have been named on the interchange bench, with Adam Keighran, Ben Thomas, Kevin Naiqama, Oliver Gildart and Siua Wong on the extended bench.
South Sydney have a number of players out of action with Campbell Graham (HIA) and Damien Cook (covid) sidelined, but still contain a number of danger men including Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Cameron Murray.
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Key Match Up: Luke Keary vs Cody Walker
Two dynamic five-eighths and former teammates clash when Luke Keary lines up against Cody Walker.
Despite a disrupted season, which has seen him move back to his preferred position in the no.6, Keary has returned to the scintillating form that saw him claim the Clive Churchill Medal in the 2018 Grand Final in recent weeks.
The 30-year-old has nineteen try assists, fifteen linebreak assists and twelve forced drop outs from his 20 appearances and has built upon his combination with young halfback Sam Walker throughout the Roosters' charge to the finals.
His opposite has played every match of the 2022 season so far and has similarly propelled the cardinal and myrtle to a fifth consecutive finals series, laying on sixteen tries, seventeen linebreak assists and eight forced drop outs.
With the Ron Coote Cup and a potential home final on the line, make sure you keep your eyes on these two scintillating sixes to steer the ship and lay on the points.
What They Said:
Final Verdict:
It's hard to believe that Round 25 is finally here, and with that, the long-awaited opening of Allianz Stadium.
Both sides are level on competition points and while a finals berth is guaranteed, an opportunity to back up at home will have Trent Robinson's men motivated as they seek to mark their first match at the venue with a win.
Head in early as our NRLW side officially opens the venue at 5:40pm in their highly-anticipated Grand Final rematch against the St George Illawarra Dragons as they aim to extend their winning streak in Round 3.
