Rabbitohs v Broncos preview

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos Friday 8:00pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

Both teams are vying to get back in the winning circle after both suffering horrific losses at Magic Round. 

The Rabbitohs ensured their fourth straight loss against the Knights last week, where they only managed to get one try on the board, whilst they conceded five tries. This came after a flying start to the season, defeating the Dolphins, Dragons, Panthers, and Roosters in the first five weeks of the competition. 

Wayne Bennett makes a host of changes to his side due to various injuries, but the biggest change is the return of Latrell Mitchell after he served a one match suspension, along with Jamie Humphreys returning after suffering a hamstring injury. Siliva Havili starts at hooker with Peter Mamouzelos out due to an injured elbow. Fletcher Myers joins the side as winger, with Isaiah Taas moving to the centres and Euan Aitken to the second row. Jai Arrow shifts from lock and prop, with Keaon Koloamatangi in the front row dropping Sean Keppie to the bench. 

Rocks and diamonds; the best way to describe the Broncos. They easily and convincingly defeated the Bulldogs in Round 8, with a 42-18 score line. Then the following week they were embarrassed by the Panthers at Magic Round, not to mention conceding a Nathan Cleary try that looked all too much like the match winning try in the 2023 Grand Final. Brisbane are currently five wins/four losses, and sit in fifth place on the ladder, but if they don't get their act together, they might start tumbling. 

Despite being free to play after serving his nine-match suspension, Ezra Mam makes his return through the QCup, with Ben Hunt staying at five-eighth to partner Adam Reynolds in the halves. Michael Maguire only makes one other change, with Fletcher Baker returning to the bench at the expense of Jaiyden Hunt. 

These two sides met twice in 2024, with each team taking home one win. In the 41 times they have played each other since 1998, the Broncos take the lead with 26 wins whilst the Rabbitohs have only won 14, with one game drawn. Although, the home side have a good track record at Accor Stadium, winning four of their past five matches against the Broncos. 

Last meeting: Round 15 2024 - Rabbitohs 22 Broncos 12

Who to watch: After having missed the first four matches of the season, and only having played his first game back at fullback against the Storm in Round 8, it'll be interesting to see how Latrell Mitchell plays. During his four games so far this season he has made three try assists, five tackle breaks and one line break. 

Opposite Mitchell for the Broncos is Selwyn Cobbo, who is filling in for the injured Reece Walsh at fullback. During his two games at fullback this year, Cobbo has made one try assist and one linebreak, along with 13 tackle breaks and three offloads. Cobbo plays the fullback role dissimilarly to Walsh, but it still has moments of shine. 

Favourite: Broncos are favoured to take the win. 

My tip: On paper, the Broncos are an easy win, but they somehow make the easy wins not winnable, so who knows how Friday night will turn out. Let's just hope it's a night of diamonds and not rocks. Brisbane by 8.

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Fletcher Myers 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jye Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Tevita Tatola 19. Lewis Dodd

1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Fletcher Baker 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Josiah Karapani

Referees: Peter Gough; Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Matt Noyen; Video Referees: Chris Butler;