You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
Match Preview

Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs: Talau back on deck; Bennett shuffles backline

Author
ljmpta.com
Timestamp

The last time the team song rang out in a victorious Rabbitohs dressing room was May 18 and the early season promise has given way to despair at Redfern.

The Bunnies have slipped from seventh to 16th on the back of five consecutive losses, giving up 171 points in the process and looking a shadow of the side that downed the Dolphins, Panthers, Roosters and Broncos earlier in the season.

Across town at Brookvale, a scrappy win over Wests Tigers was barely cause for excitement, although Tom Trbojevic's 136 run metres and seven tackle breaks vindicated the decision to switch him to the centres.

Playing on home soil and with their key leaders Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic no longer involved in State of Origin, the Sea Eagles look to hold all the aces.

Team News

Sea Eagles: Just the one change to the team that beat Wests Tigers with Tommy Talau added to the bench in place of Nathan Brown (biceps). Talau has recovered from a hamstring injury and will line up for his seventh NRL game of the season.

Rabbitohs: Alex Johnston will continue his chase for the all-time tryscoring record from fullback as he fills in for Latrell Mitchell (Origin camp). Isaiah Tass comes in on the wing, Euan Aitken moves to the centres and Jack Wighton goes to five-eighth to replace Cody Walker (hamstring). Liam Le Blanc and Lewis Dodd are the new faces on the bench. Brandon Smith has been named on the extended bench as he nears a return from an ACL injury suffered in Round 26 last year.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Lehi Hopoate
    Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Alex Johnston
  • Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Isaiah Tass
  • Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Euan Aitken
  • Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tom Trbojevic
    Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
  • Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
    Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Tyrone Munro
  • Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
    Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Jack Wighton
  • Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
    Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie Humphreys

Forwards

  • Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Matthew Lodge
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
  • Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jazz Tevaga
    Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Siliva Havili
  • Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
    Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon Koloamatangi
  • 2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Corey Waddell
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jai Arrow
  • 2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
    2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan
  • Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
    Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Lachlan Hubner

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Tommy Talau
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Liam Le Blanc
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Davvy Moale
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley
    Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Lewis Dodd

Reserves

  • Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Michael Chee Kam
    Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Ryan Gray
  • Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Clayton Faulalo
    Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 19 Sean Keppie
  • Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Caleb Navale
    Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Jacob Host
  • Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Joey Walsh
    Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Cody Walker
  • Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Gordon Chan Kum Tong
    Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Brandon Smith

Sea Eagles Ins

  • Caleb Navale
  • Clayton Faulalo
  • Gordon Chan Kum Tong
  • Joey Walsh
  • Tommy Talau

Rabbitohs Ins

  • Brandon Smith
  • Jacob Host
  • Lewis Dodd
  • Liam Le Blanc
  • Ryan Gray

Sea Eagles Outs

  • Nathan Brown

Rabbitohs Ins

  • Latrell Mitchell

Match Officials

  • Referee: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Sea Eagles have not defeated the Rabbitohs at 4 Pines Park since 2019.
  • The Rabbitohs have won eight of their past nine games against the Sea Eagles.
  • Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula has scored in six consecutive games at 4 Pines Park.
  • Rabbitohs five-eighthJack Wighton has scored five tries in his last five games at Brookvale.
  • Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has won only two from eight against Wayne Bennett-coached teams.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

Premier Partner

Media Partners

Major Partners

View All Partners