Round 21: Rabbitohs v Broncos preview
The Rabbitohs bring the Broncos to the Sunshine Coast Stadium for a game at their game away from home for the weekend. South Sydney are working on solidifying a top eight position, whilst Brisbane are looking to uphold their top four position and not have a repeat of the 2022 season.
Coming off their second bye of the season, the Rabbitohs are fresh and will be looking to right their wrongs after losing to the Bulldogs during Round 19 with an Origin and injury depleted side.
South Sydney have an extreme boost to their side with a plethora of players returning from injury and Origin duties. Latrell Mitchell returns to play his first game since Round 12 due to suffering a calf injury, along with Campbell Graham and Jai Arrow who spent some time on the sidelines due to respective sternum and ankle injuries. Cody Walker, Damien Cook, Keaon Koloamatangi and Cameron Murray all return to the side after being rested in Round 19 due to Origin duties; meaning that Blake Taaffe, Siliva Havili and Thomas Burgess all move to the bench alongside Jacob Host who is returning from a suspension.
The Broncos continue to put pressure on reigning minor premiers + premiers, the Penrith Panthers, where they continue to keep knocking on the doorsteps of number one position on the ladder, currently only set apart by for and against differences. Although putting on an attacking masterclass against the Bulldogs, they also managed to leak 24 points at Belmore, meaning that if Brisbane wants to prove themselves and progress through into finals, they need to make some defensive improvements during the backend of the home-and-away season.
Reece Walsh returns to the side after serving a three-match suspension, along with his other QLD Origin representative gun, Patrick Carrigan, who was rested following Origin III. Payne Haas also returns to the side following an ankle injury, which provides a boost to their forward pack. These changes mean that Tristan Sailor drops out of the starting 17 and Corey Jensen returns to the bench. Star halfback Adam Reynolds has been named to play despite picking up a wrist concern in the final ten minutes of the game last week.
After a grim meeting earlier this season for the Broncos between these two sides, Brisbane will be looking to right their wrongs and attempt to claim victory at the Sunshine Coast, the stadium where the Rabbitohs have managed to win four from four matches. In favour of the Broncos, they have only lost one match away from home so far this season and will be attempting to continue this almost perfect record.
This matchup is a close one, with the Broncos leading the competition in tackle breaks with a total of 714, Rabbitohs leading with 89 line break assist and both sides in the top five for total tries scored; South Sydney totalling 80 and Brisbane totalling 77.
Last meeting: Round 9 2023 - Broncos 6 Rabbitohs 32
Who to watch: Rabbitohs five-eighth, Cody Walker, has totalled 20 try assists in 16 games this season, and it will be no surprise if he passes his record for a single season, which was 33 in 2021. Walker is an integral player to the South-Sydney side and is fresh off a stellar performance in the third Origin game, where he was named POTM and made a try assist. Alongside the strong Rabbitohs backs, it'll be interesting to see what performance he will put on come Friday night.
Having been Brisbane club's key signing for 2022, Adam Reynolds is continuing to show how is not yet approaching his end of career time. Having assisted with 15 tries this season and scoring three of his own, Reynolds is one of the Broncos stellar players who continues to bring class, experience and impressive plays. It's a joy to watch him play, especially when coming up against his former club.
Favourite: Rabbitohs are favoured to get themselves back into the winning circle and add another two points to their count for the season.
My tip: Both sides are given boosts with the return of many star players, most notably Reece Walsh and Latrell Mitchell for the Broncos and Rabbitohs respectively. With both teams sporting starting sides filled with superstar spine and forward players, I believe it will be a close and exciting game. However, the Broncos were given a reality check the last time they faced the Rabbitohs this season, and I don't think they will let history repeat themselves. Broncos by 4.
