Accor Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 23 NRL game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Penrith Panthers. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with South Sydney Rabbitohs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Penrith Panthers game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday August 18, 2022 at 7:50 pm
Where: Accor Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers Odds
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers Preview
South Sydney will look to continue its roll with a victory over a depleted Penrith line-up in the season’s second edition of the grand final rematch.
The Rabbitohs have won six of seven since Latrell Mitchell’s campaign-defining return, backing up a 48-10 beatdown of the Warriors with 26-0 shutout of premiership hopefuls Parramatta last Friday. The fullback was at his destructive best against the Eels, making three line-breaks, nine tackle-breaks and recording his ninth try-assist in six games.
Souths welcome back reliable centre Campbell Graham from a seven-week layoff, which sees Jaxson Paulo move to the wing and Izaac Thompson drop out. A late omission last week, Lachlan Ilias returns at halfback, while Daniel Suluka-Fifita comes straight back into the front-row.
The Panthers – sans Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai for the second week – were unable to continue the form that saw them down the Raiders in Round 21, crashing 16-0 to the Storm. But influential fullback Dylan Edwards was a big loss ahead of the latter assignment, as was suspended James Fisher-Harris prolific rookie winger Taylan May.
Edwards has been named to return in the No.1 but May is in the reserves and JFH has another week to serve.
The Panthers have won seven of their last eight against the Rabbitohs and were convincing in the Round 4 grand final rematch, carving out a 26-12 victory at home. Three of the teams’ last four clashes at Homebush were decided by four points or less.
Six points clear of the field still, the defending champs would have to get pumped in their last three games to lose the minor premiership – so the pressure is off. But Ivan Cleary will be wary of losing momentum at this time of the year and the Panthers’ simplified play with a back-up halves pairing will struggle to trouble the NRL’s better sides.
Souths have averaged 32 points in their last seven games and will keyed up here as they continue a push for the Top 4.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Penrith Panthers to win at $2.30 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Alex Johnston at $7.25.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers Teams
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Taane Milne 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Siliva Havili 17. Hame Sele 18. Blake Taaffe 19. Dean Hawkins 20. Davvy Moale 21. Shaq Mitchell 22. Izaac Thompson
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To?o 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Sean O?Sullivan 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Matt Eisenhuth 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Charlie Staines 18. Robert Jennings 19. J?maine Hopgood 20. Taylan May 21. Chris Smith 22. Kurt Falls