
The Rabbitohs have endured a horror season on the injury front and find themselves perilously close to a first wooden spoon since 2006.
Riding a six-game losing streak the Rabbitohs now confront the fast-charging Panthers, who have put their premiership defence back on track with five wins on the bounce.
Having navigated the testing State of Origin period in great style the Panthers enter a stretch of games against teams below them on the ladder and struggling for form in the Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers, Titans and Knights.
Wayne Bennett's men can take heart from the fact they were able to roll the Panthers 28-18 at Accor Stadium in Round 4 without their superstar Latrell Mitchell, who will be looking for a big one this week against a posse of his Blues Origin teammates.
Match: Panthers v Rabbitohs
Round 20 -
home Team
Panthers
6th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
16th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Panthers: Star halfback Nathan Cleary will sit out Friday's match, with Blaize Talagi to partner Brad Schneider in the halves. NSW skipper Isaah Yeo has also been handed a rest, however Dylan Edwards and Brian To'o are back on deck. Liam Martin remains sidelined with a wrist injury suffered in the Origin decider. Izack Tago's suspension has seen Paul Alamoti recalled in the centres, while Scott Sorensen returns from suspension in the second row. Edwards' return will see Daine Laurie shift to the interchange.
Rabbitohs: English import Lewis Dodd has earned an NRL recall and will come off the bench in jumper No.17. Jack Wighton will again link up with Jamie Humphreys in the halves with Cody Walker still sidelined. Latrell Mitchell's return from Origin duties will see Alex Johnston shift to the wing as part of a wider backline reshuffle. Isaiah Tass will line up in the centres, with Campbell Graham ruled out with a back injury. Euan Aitken returns from injury in the back row. A knee injury to Brandon Smith will see Siliva Havili start at hooker, with Peter Mamouzelos back on the interchange. Davvy Moale (knee) joins Graham and Smith in the casualty ward, with Sean Keppie earning an NRL recall.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Paul AlamotiCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Tallis Duncan
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Tyrone Munro
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Jack Wighton
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad SchneiderHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie Humphreys
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Siliva Havili
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay SmithProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon Koloamatangi
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Euan Aitken
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Luke Garner2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'iLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Jai Arrow
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Daine LaurieInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam HenryInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Luron PateaInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean Keppie
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Matthew EisenhuthInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Lewis Dodd
Reserves
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Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Jack ColeReplacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Liam Le Blanc
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Reserve for Panthers is number 19 Luke SommertonReserve for Rabbitohs is number 19 Thomas Fletcher
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Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Mavrik GeyerReserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Ryan Gray
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Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Harrison HassettReserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Shaquai Mitchell
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Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Preston RikiReserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Ammaron Gudgeon
Panthers Ins
- Brian To'o
- Dylan Edwards
- Harrison Hassett
- Jack Cole
- Luke Sommerton
- Preston Riki
- Scott Sorensen
Rabbitohs Ins
- Ammaron Gudgeon
- Euan Aitken
- Latrell Mitchell
- Peter Mamouzelos
- Sean Keppie
- Shaquai Mitchell
- Thomas Fletcher
Panthers Outs
- Isaah Yeo
- Izack Tago
- Nathan Cleary
Rabbitohs Ins
- Brandon Smith
- Campbell Graham
- Davvy Moale
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won 12 of their past 15 games against the Rabbitohs.
- The Rabbitohs have not defeated the Panthers twice in a season since 2017.
- The Panthers have won their last four games at CommBank Stadium.
- Rabbitohs utility Tallis Duncan has scored five tries in his last four games.
- The Panthers have conceded only 58 points in their last five games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the