Rabbitohs vs Roosters RD27 – South Sydney Rabbitohs

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will take on their arch rivals, the Sydney Roosters, in a Friday night blockbuster in what will be their final game for the season. It is always an occasion for the ages when these two sides do battle, and this Friday at Allianz Stadium will be no different as we look to add yet another chapter to the Book of Feuds.

Victory in this clash will see the Rabbitohs take home the Ron Coote Cup for the 2025 season, a trophy named in honour of Rugby League’s 14th Immortal and South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs legend, Ron Coote AM, for the first time since 2022.

The Red and Green hold a six-point lead coming into this match, having defeated the Roosters 20-14 in round five this season.

The forwards were highly influential in getting South Sydney over the line on this occasion, with Junior Tatola, Sean Keppie and Keaon Koloamatangi all putting in big shifts for over 100 metres in the middle to set the platform for the likes of Jye Gray and Latrell Mitchell to pull the strings in attack.

Gray, Tatola and Isaiah Tass all crossed for four-pointers, with Mitchell setting up a try and kicking four goals (three conversions and one penalty). Mitchell’s kicking proved crucial for South Sydney, as they finished six points ahead of their opposition despite scoring the same number of tries.

Off the back of defeating the Titans, Eels and Dragons in their last three games, the Rabbitohs will be confident they can continue their positive form to end the season – particularly after putting 40 points on the Dragons two weeks ago on their way into a bye in round 26.

The Roosters currently sit precariously in eighth position on the ladder, clinging onto their finals aspirations by the skin of their teeth. With the Dolphins and the Sea Eagles sitting below them in ninth and tenth respectively, there is plenty of pressure on the Roosters to not let this one slip from their grasp.

The Roosters have had a patchy last fortnight. They posted a convincing victory over the Storm in Melbourne last week 40-10, after losing to the Eels 30-10 in disappointing fashion the week before.

The Rabbitohs are never short of motivation when coming up against the Roosters. However, the potential to deny their arch foes a spot in the finals will be tantalising for the Red and Green faithful.

That is precisely what the Rabbitohs will be aiming to do this Friday night as their 2025 season draws to a close.

Cody Walker: “You’re walking through the street and everyone wants to talk about it – they all look forward to that game.”

Cody Walker is well aware that this weekend’s clash with the Roosters is not just another regular NRL game. While the fans of both clubs cheer on the rivalry, Walker knows that as one of the senior players in the team, it is his job to help keep the side grounded and focused on the task at hand, taking two points off the Roosters and finishing 2025 on a high.

“I think the excitement level just grows. You’re playing against the Roosters. You’re walking through the street and everyone wants to talk about it – they all look forward to that game. I think for us it’s important that we continue to play the way we have over the last couple of weeks and do what’s been working for us, and not get caught up in the hype of the game because you don’t need any extra motivation to play against the Roosters. It’s always there, and finish on a high. That’s been our goal over the last couple of weeks.”

Jack Wighton: “He’ll (Cameron Murray) give himself every chance to have a rally and be out there with his mates.”

Jack Wighton is incredibly excited to see Cameron Murray back in the side after missing the entire year due to an Achilles injury suffered in the pre-season. While there may not be anything on the line in terms of making the finals, Wighton knows that this appearance from Murray is about much more than positions on the ladder. It is about leading the team, and inspiring the boys to finish 2025 on a high and create momentum for 2026, which is exactly what South Sydney will want to do against the Roosters on Friday night.

“If you know Cam (Murray), Cam’s a different beast. He’s as professional as any player I’ve ever met. He’s very driven. As everyone knows there’s not much on the line. It’s a big game, but Premiership-wise, there’s not much on the line. He’s just that type of person. He’ll give himself every chance to have a rally and be out there with his mates. That’s why he’s our captain.”

Keaon Koloamatangi: “If you complete at a high percentage you give yourself the best chance to win.”

One of the keys to South Sydney’s 40-0 defeat of the Dragons in round 25 was their excellent completion rate (95% overall and 100% in the first half). The absence of errors saw the Rabbitohs flex their muscles in attack, playing the kind of football that saw them produce their biggest victory of the season. Keaon Koloamatangi knows that completion rate will be vital again this week against the Roosters, and is prepared to tuck the ball under his wing and lead the side to victory.

“The game’s too tough nowadays to be dropping the ball every set. If you complete at a high percentage you give yourself the best chance to win… That’s our gameplan this week. Just to hold the ball and see how we can hopefully get the win.”

Team Changes

South Sydney have been blessed with a couple of big returns for this clash. As such, Head Coach Wayne Bennett has made several changes to the side that defeated St George Illawarra in round 25 as a result.

Jack Wighton is back from suspension and will captain the side in his favoured position of left centre. This pushes Tallis Duncan back into the back row after a successful stint in the centres while covering for Wighton in the last few games, while Jacob Host reverts to the interchange bench.

Cameron Murray will make his first appearance for the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles in the pre-season. He has been named in jersey 17 to come off the bench.

Meanwhile, the Roosters have made just one change to the side that defeated Melbourne last Friday night, with Sam Walker returning from concussion to partner Hugo Savala in the halves, with Sandon Smith dropping back to the reserves.

Rabbitohs vs Roosters RD27 – South Sydney Rabbitohs

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