Sydney Cricket Ground will play host to Friday's Round 25 NRL game between Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs. The game kicks off at 7:55 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Sydney Roosters vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday September 2, 2022 at 7:55 pm
Where: Sydney Cricket Ground
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Odds
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview
The importance of this blockbuster will hinge on Thursday night’s result.
If Melbourne wins, Sydney Roosters and South Sydney are essentially playing off for fifth spot and the right to host Canberra or Brisbane in week one.
If Parramatta wins, the archrivals will face off again at the same venue regardless of Friday’s outcome.
But the reopening of Allianz Stadium and the bitterness that permeates virtually every match between the clubs should ensure it’s one to remember either way.
Both sides confirmed their place in the finals with Round 24 wins over teams above them on the ladder.
The sixth-placed Roosters made it seven straight with a superb 18-14 win in Melbourne, getting off to a fast start and defending gallantly in the latter stages.
But it cost them Lindsay Collins (suspension) until grand final day and Victor Radley (concussion) for at least a week.
The Rabbitohs won a crunch home encounter with the second-placed Cowboys 20-10, with skipper Cameron Murray the standout player on the park.
Latrell Mitchell – the stimulus for Souths’ late-season charge – has been named despite missing training on Tuesday, heading home to Taree to recharge for this encounter.
Siosiua Taukeiaho comes into the starting side for Radley, while Paul Momirovski replaces the injured Daniel Tupou on a wing while Fletcher Baker and Terrell May join the Roosters’ bench.
Damien Cook remains out with COVID, while Jaxson Paulo returns for injured centre Campbell Graham. Peter Mamouzelos comes onto the Rabbitohs’ bench at Kodi Nikorima’s expense.
The Rabbitohs have won the four derbies, including a Murray-inspired 28-16 victory in Round 3 earlier this year.
Count on plenty of fire and brimstone with plenty at stake – either a home final against the team that comes eighth, or a major psychological advantage ahead of an elimination final rematch.
The Roosters have quietly rediscovered their ruthless defensive edge, leaking no more than 18 points in their past six games.
This will be tough for Souths to unlock without Cook and the Chooks look solid value as only a slight favourite.
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Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Tip
We're tipping Sydney Roosters to win at $1.85 odds.
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Teams
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Paul Momirovski 3. Drew Hutchison 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Siosiua Taukeiaho 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Fletcher Baker 17. Terrell May 18. Adam Keighran 19. Ben Thomas 20. Kevin Naiqama 21. Oliver Gildart 22. Siua Wong
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Jaxson Paulo 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Hame Sele 17. Michael Chee Kam 18. Blake Taaffe 19. Kodi Nikorima 20. Davvy Moale 21. Richard Kennar 22. Josh Mansour