Rabbitohs teams for Round 17 v Cowboys

The Real Insurance Rabbitohs are pleased to announce their side to take on the North Queensland Cowboys in round 17 of the NRL Telstra Premiership this Saturday, 1 July at 7:30pm at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

The Rabbitohs welcome back prop Scott Geddes and second-rower Joe Galuvao this weekend from injury, and five-eighth Beau Champion will play in the NRL side after returning from injury in Premier League last weekend. Head Coach Shaun McRae has made a number of changes to the side that played the New Zealand Warriors last Sunday with Yileen Gordon starting in the centres, Stuart Webb starting at hooker and John Sutton shifting to lock. Mark Minichiello will start the game from the interchange bench as will Shane Rigon, with Dale Newton and Kane Cleal set to make their debuts for the Rabbitohs this weekend. Joe Lichaa will travel to Townsville as the 18th man.

Rabbitohs? Shannon Hegarty (shoulder arthroscope ? 5-7 weeks), Luke Stuart (ruptured ACL in knee - season), Luke MacDougall (groin strain ? 2-3 weeks), Shane Walker (groin strain ? 2-3 weeks), Shannan McPherson (groin strain ? 2-3 weeks), Jaiman Lowe (bruised sternum - 1-2 weeks) and Mick Moran (ankle sprain and thumb fracture ? 2-4 weeks) were not considered for selection due to injury. Adam MacDougall was not considered due to suspension (2 weeks).

The South Sydney Premier League team will take on the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at Redfern Oval this Saturday at 2pm. The referee for the first grade fixture is Tony Archer.

The Rabbitohs NRL side is:

1. David Peachey
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Todd Polglase
4. Yileen Gordon
5. Paul Mellor
6. Beau Champion
7. Ben Walker
8. Peter Cusack ?
9. Stuart Webb
10. Scott Geddes
11. David Fa?alogo
12. Joe Galuvao
13. John Sutton

Interchange:

14. Mark Minichiello
15. Shane Rigon
16. Dale Newton
17. Kane Cleal
18. Joe Lichaa

Coach ? Shaun McRae

The Rabbitohs Premier League side is:

1. Joven Clarke
2. Troy Boston
3. Fetuli Talanoa
4. Germaine Paulson
5. Balin Cupples
6. Scott Briggs
7. Joe Williams
8. Joe Falemaka
9. Trent Young ?
10. Manase Manuokafoa
11. Michael Greenfield
12. Anthony Kiro
13. Ben Rogers

Interchange:

14. Ray Moujalli
15. David Wynyard
16. Aaron Firman
17. Rhys Hanbury
18. Beau Falloon
19. James Donlan
20. Nathan Gilchrist

Coach ? Mark Ellison