Both sides will be looking to bounce back from disappointing losses last week but the Raiders will fancy their chances against a Rabbitohs side without Origin stars Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray and Jai Arrow.
Knocked off the top of the ladder after the Eels snapped their six-game winning streak, South Sydney will be hoping to get their season back on track when they host the eighth-placed Raiders at Accor Stadium.
Jason Demetriou’s men are flying high with an 8-4 record this season but this may be their toughest test yet with Mitchell, Murray and Arrow called into Origin camps and centre Campbell Graham resting a sternum injury.
Meanwhile, Canberra are also coming off a loss but coach Ricky Stuart will only be without Blues call-up Hudson Young after veteran representative stars Josh Papali’i and Jack Wighton officially announced their Origin retirement this year.
Emotions are always running high with Stuart on the sideline, but the Round 13 clash is one full of spice with Wighton set to face South Sydney for the first time after signing a four-year deal with the club last month.
Hanging by a thread in the top eight, if the Raiders are to upset the red-hot Rabbitohs they will need to get their discipline in check and cut out the simple errors that cost them any chance of victory against the Sea Eagles last Sunday.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
View at NRL.com
Team News
Rabbitohs: With Cambell Graham injured (sternum), Taane Milne is likely to move into centre and Richard Kennar could be called up to start on the wing. Blake Taaffe is likely to take over for Latrell Mitchell at fullback, while Liam Knight could replace skipper Cameron Murray at lock. Jed Cartwright is in line to return from a concussion while Peter Mamouzelos or Shaquai Mitchell are likely the new faces on the bench.
Raiders: The absence of forward Hudson Young on Origin duty is offset by the return of Zac Woolford (head knock) who will likely return at hooker. Winger Nick Cotric (hamstring) and five-eighth Matt Frawley (hand) are likely to make their return from injury in NSW Cup.
Stat Attack
- Raiders centre Jarrod Croker will play his 299th game.
- Raiders winger Jordan Rapana requires one try for a century of NRL tries.
- The Raiders have won three of their last five games against the Rabbitohs.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
View at NRL.com