NRL Match Preview: Rabbitohs vs Knights RD9 2025
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are set to take on the Newcastle Knights at Magic Round this weekend in Brisbane. The two sides will battle in the 3pm Saturday timeslot and will be looking to set the tone for the evening as they open up proceedings for Super Saturday.
The Rabbitohs possess a stellar record at Magic Round, having notched up victories over the Cowboys, Sharks, Warriors and Storm before suffering their first ever Magic Round defeat at the hands of the Cowboys last year.
South Sydney began the season with four wins from their first five games, before three straight losses in recent weeks. The Cardinal and Myrtle will certainly be hoping that Magic Round is once again a happy hunting ground, as they look to return to their winning ways and get their season headed back in the right direction.
Sean Keppie: “He’s a little pocket rocket they call him.”
Sean Keppie is determined to focus on who is in the team rather than who’s not, and has thrown his full support and confidence behind Jye Gray to get the job done at fullback in Latrell Mitchell’s absence. Given that Gray has scored four tries, set up two, made 30 tackle busts and run for an average of 199 metres per game this season, Keppie certainly has every reason to be confident.
“Yeah look, Latrell’s a big asset to our team. But I’m sure you’ve seen how Jye plays. He’s going to do another good job for us. He’s a little pocket rocket they call him… I’m sure Jye will do a good job for us.”
Davvy Moale: “Although we didn’t come away with the win, the effort was there.”
It’s been a challenging period for the Rabbitohs. However, Davvy Moale remains optimistic that he and his teammates can turn it around and get the two points at Magic Round this weekend. Despite the disappointing results, Moale can feel that the team is putting in the effort – particularly on ANZAC Day against the Storm – and that it is just a matter of tightening up their execution which should see them back in the winner’s circle on Saturday afternoon.
“Yeah we definitely need a big effort this week. Every week we need a big effort and I feel like, although we didn’t come away with the win, the effort was there. We just need to execute better and fix up certain areas and I feel like we’ll come out and do a job.”
Team Changes
Coach Wayne Bennett has made several changes to the side that was defeated by the Storm on ANZAC Day.
With Jack Wighton ruled out for this week’s clash, Wayne Bennett has handed the captaincy to Junior Tatola for Round 9 against the Knights. It will be the first time Tatola leads the Rabbitohs onto the field, making him the 130th captain in the Club’s proud history.
Jye Gray will return to fullback due to Mitchell’s absence. Meanwhile, Tallis Duncan will start in the back row after coming off the bench for most of the season so far.
The South Sydney bench also has a bit of a new feel to it, with three new faces coming onto the pine who weren’t there last week.
Liam Le Blanc will wear jersey 14 in his fourth NRL game of the year, while Lachlan Hubner returns from concussion stand down in jersey 15. Fletcher Myers also comes into the side to provide backline cover, with Davvy Moale retaining his spot from last week.
Recent Results
- Round 25, 2024 – Knights 36-16 Rabbitohs (Accor Stadium)
- Round 25, 2023 – Knights 29-10 Rabbitohs (McDonald Jones Stadium)
- Round 17, 2022 – Rabbitohs 40-28 Knights (McDonald Jones Stadium)
- Round 14, 2021 – Rabbitohs 24-10 Knights (Accor Stadium)
- Qualifying Final, 2020 – Rabbitohs 46-20 Knights (Accor Stadium)
Match Details and Where To Watch
Fixture: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights
Date: Saturday 3rd May
Kick-off: 3pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
