NRL Match Preview: Rabbitohs vs Dolphins RD17
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will travel to Brisbane this week to do battle with the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 7:50pm, and after a devastating one-point loss to the Storm in golden point last week, you can guarantee that the Rabbitohs will be fired up to do everything in their power to get the win.
South Sydney will be boosted by the return of three stars; Cody Walker, Campbell Graham and Peter Mamouzelos; who have all been named to return from injury to play key roles in this match. This will be just the fourth occasion that the Rabbitohs and the Dolphins have locked horns, with a 2-1 win-loss record in the Rabbitohs' favour.
It is also important to note that round 17 is Beanie for Brain Cancer round, raising funds and awareness for the Mark Hughes Foundation, an organisation working towards beating brain cancer. For more information on the Mark Hughes Foundation and to buy a beanie online, visit www.markhughesfoundation.com.au.
Jamie Humphreys: “I think he (Cody Walker) brings out the best in me and I feel like I can help him unlock his ball-playing as well which is what I’m looking to do.”
Jamie Humphreys could not be more excited to be back playing with Cody Walker, the man alongside whom he made his South Sydney debut in round one this year. Humphreys has not played in the halves with Walker since round five and is eager to recapture some of the form that saw the two of them lead the Rabbitohs to four wins from their first five games.
“We were just talking about it before. We’ve not played together since round five. The season’s gone so quick. It feels like a long time ago now. I’m definitely super excited. I think he brings out the best in me and I feel like I can help him unlock his ball-playing as well which is what I’m looking to do. We’re a much more dangerous team when Cody’s in it, so I’m super excited and ready to go with him.”
Keaon Koloamatangi: “I feel like he’s (Alex Johnston) still very underrated, especially defensively. He’s an amazing finisher too.”
Keaon Koloamatangi cannot help but heap praise on his long-time teammate Alex Johnston, who looks destined to break Ken Irvine’s long-standing try-scoring record after a four-try haul against the Storm on the weekend. While Johnston’s try-scoring prowess is obvious for all to see, Koloamatangi believes he doesn’t get enough credit for his work on the other side of the ball. Whether he is shutting down opposition set pieces or safely diffusing high kicks, Johnston has been a key contributor to South Sydney’s left edge being statistically harder to score on for a very long time.
“Yeah obviously he’s going to be the top try-scorer soon. I feel like he’s still very underrated, especially defensively. He’s an amazing finisher as well. I’ve got a good relationship with him and he’s good to have around the Club. He’s a Rabbitohs legend so I’m very grateful to be able to play with him.”
Team Changes
Head Coach Wayne Bennett has made several changes to the side that went down so narrowly to the Storm in round 16.
Captain and five-eighth Cody Walker is back in the number six jersey after suffering a groin injury in the Rabbitohs’ loss to Canberra in round 14.
Campbell Graham also makes his return to the centres to partner Jack Wighton in what is another massive boost for South Sydney.
Sean Keppie pushes into the starting side in the front row, with Jai Arrow shifting to lock while Lachlan Hubner reverts to the interchange bench.
Joining Hubner on the pine is returning hooker Peter Mamouzelos, who will look to use his speed and deception to wreak havoc on the Dolphins through the middle of the field later in the game.
Recent Results
- Round one, 2025 – Rabbitohs 16-14 Dolphins (CommBank Stadium).
- Round 19, 2024 – Dolphins 36-28 Rabbitohs (Kayo Stadium).
- Round seven, 2023 – Rabbitohs 36-14 Dolphins (Suncorp Stadium).
Match Details and Where To Watch
Fixture: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Dolphins
Date: Saturday 28 June
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Where to Watch: Kayo and Foxtel
