The Rabbitohs continue to fight hard but injuries and suspensions have taken a heavy toll during the opening eight rounds.
With Cameron Murray, Cody Walker and Jamie Humphreys already sidelined they are now set to be without star fullback Latrell Mitchell due to suspension.
Master coach Wayne Bennett will again be forced to shuffle the decks for a Magic Round showdown with a Knights side desperately short on points and confidence.
The Knights have mustered just 72 points in seven games and will need to find a way to unlock their spluttering attack if they're to trouble a South Sydney side bristling with attacking threats including Jye Gray, Jack Wighton and Keaon Koloamatangi.
Match: Rabbitohs v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
13th Position
away Team
Knights
12th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Rabbitohs: No further changes on game day after Lewis Dodd came in for Jack Wighton (calf). The Englishman will line up at five-eighth in his first starting appearance in the NRL. Latrell Mitchell's suspension triggers a significant reshuffle with Jye Gray returning to fullback after a week in the halves, Euan Aitken shifting to centre and Tallis Duncan going from the interchange to back row. Josh Schuster has dropped out an hour before kick-off and Thomas Fletcher is 18th man.
Knights: The Knights are 1-17 with no late changes. Jacob Saifiti and Adam Elliott have been locked in to make their comebacks from calf injuries, with Saifiti at prop and Elliott on the interchange. Tyson Frizell is set to shift to lock as a result and Mat Croker to the bench. Kalyn Ponga has also been cleared to play despite battling a rib cartilage complaint. Centre Dane Gagai will make his 200th appearance for the Knights in the clash. Tyson Gamble will return from a broken nose through NSW Cup on Sunday.
Match: Rabbitohs v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye GrayFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Bayleigh Bentley-HapeWinger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Euan AitkenCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Isaiah TassWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 19 Lewis DoddFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jayden SullivanHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Sean KeppieProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Peter MamouzelosHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Tevita TatolaProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Jai ArrowLock for Knights is number 13 Tyson Frizell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Liam Le BlancInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan HubnerInterchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Knights is number 16 Adam Elliott
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Fletcher MyersInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Reserves
-
Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Thomas FletcherReplacement for Knights is number 18 Thomas Cant
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won three of their past four games without Latrell Mitchell.
- The Knights have averaged only 10 points per game over the opening eight rounds.
- Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham has scored five tries in his past three games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Centre Dane Gagai will play his 200th game for the Knights.
- Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has won four from four Magic Round games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
