The Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs are part of the six-team logjam on 16 competition points heading into Round 14 so a win is critical to staying in touch with the top four.
Manly had their three-game winning streak halted by the Sharks last weekend while the Rabbitohs took advantage of a mid-season bye to rest weary bodies and prepare for a huge fortnight against the Sea Eagles and Broncos before another bye in Round 16.
After losing their first three games at home to the Raiders, Knights and Roosters, the boys from Brookie have hit back with victories over the Eels, Titans and Broncos to square the ledger 3-3 at 4 Pines Park.
Interim coach Kieran Foran is sure to have the Sea Eagles primed for a visit from the old master Wayne Bennett and his Rabbitohs outfit determined to steady the ship after losing three of their past four matches.
Superstars Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell remain sidelined but there is no lack of potency across the park with Clayton Faulalo and Lehi Hopoate in great touch for the home side and Cody Walker and Alex Johnston a constant danger on the Rabbitohs’ left edge.
Team News
Sea Eagles: Back-rower Haumole Olakau’atu returns after being rested last week while Tolu Koula has been named to play after receiving a clearance from the NRL. Koula was forced from the field following a head knock in the second half of Origin One and did not return after failing a HIA. Koula has since satisfied the return-to-play criteria which included testing and assessment by an independent neurological expert. Josh Feledy and Jackson Shereb slide to the bench and Ethan Bullemor makes way.
Rabbitohs: Rampaging forward David Fifita has been named to make his first appearance since Round 6 after recovering from a hamstring injury. Tallis Duncan also shifts to the back row, with Keaon Koloamatangi returning to the front-row and Euan Aitken dropping back to the interchange. Hooker Brandon Smith has also been listed to return from a calf injury in another big boost for Wayne Bennett’s side. Still no Latrell Mitchell as he battles a back injury but Campbell Graham has been named to return from a calf injury in the centres. Jye Gray reclaims the starting fullback role, with Matt Dufty dropping back to the bench. The season looks to be over for Adam Elliott, who suffered a deltoid rupture in his ankle against the Cowboys, while winger Talanoa Penitani is facing 12-14 weeks out with a torn hamstring.
Stat Attack
The Sea Eagles have won their last three games at 4 Pines Park.
The Rabbitohs have won eight of their last 10 games against the Sea Eagles.
Sea Eagles fullback Clayton Faulalo has scored five tries in his last six games.
Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker has scored six tries in his last six games against the Sea Eagles.
Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick has scored seven tries in his last seven games against the Rabbitohs.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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