NRL Match Preview: Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles RD18

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will cross the Spit Bridge on Sunday afternoon to take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval. Sparks tend to fly whenever these two traditional rivals do battle and with plenty up for grabs, including two valuable competition points, expect this Sunday to be no different.

The Rabbitohs will lean on their great record against the Sea Eagles, which includes four wins from the last five starts. The Red and Green also have a positive record at Brookvale Oval, which has typically been a fortress for Manly-Warringah against most opposition, winning three from their last five.

While it has been a tough period for the Rabbitohs in the win-loss department, the Rabbitohs can take plenty of positives out of the last few games against quality opposition. Given their record and the positive form they have shown in patches, they will be confident in their ability to turn it around this weekend.

Euan Aitken: “We still need to put that 80-minute performance in.”

Euan Aitken admits that it has been frustrating for himself and his teammates that the side has been unable to get wins on the board for the last few weeks. Despite displaying some impressive football against some of the top teams in the NRL, Aitken has been around long enough to know that it does not mean much if the team does not perform for the full game. He is hopeful, however, that the illusive 80-minute performance is right around the corner for the Rabbitohs.

“Well that’s been our story for the last probably five weeks, that’s been our story hasn’t it. We played good in patches and really good against good teams, good opposition. We still need to put that 80-minute performance in. Hopefully, we can do that this weekend.”

Tallis Duncan: “That’s how we can turn it around. Going brick-by-brick and doing it the hard way.”

Tallis Duncan is admittedly disappointed by the Rabbitohs’ recent results, despite being in good form personally with a couple of tries against the Dolphins. However, he is under no illusion that there is any way out of this situation other than hard work. Duncan is committed to getting in and doing the hard yards at training to get South Sydney back into the winner’s circle.

“Yeah I think we speak about when you emphasise and obsess over winning rather than getting your process right. I think that’s what we need to do. When you look at the big picture, it’s easy to say ‘we tried to win but we didn’t.’ We have our process, our system that our staff has built. It’s like building a house. You go one wall at a time. You don’t just try and knock up the house. That’s what I believe. That’s how we can turn it around. Going brick-by-brick and doing it the hard way.”

Team Changes

Head Coach Wayne Bennett has rung in several changes to the side that lost to the Dolphins in round 17.

Alex Johnston will move to fullback to cover Latrell Mitchell’s absence due to State of Origin duty, with Isaiah Tass coming onto the wing to replace Johnston.

Jack Wighton has been named in the number six jersey, replacing Cody Walker who has been named on the extended bench.

Euan Aitken will move out to the centres to cover Wighton, while Jai Arrow moves onto the edge with Junior Tatola named to start in the front row.

Lachlan Hubner has been elevated to the starting lock position, while both Liam Le Blanc and Lewis Dodd have been named on the bench.

5 July: Wayne Bennett confirmed during Captain's Run media that Euan Aitken has been ruled out with a leg injury, prompting changes to the starting line-up. He also announced that one of our newest recruits, Brandon Smith, will make his Rabbitohs debut against the Sea Eagles this weekend.

Recent Results

• Round 16, 2024 – Rabbitohs 14-0 Sea Eagles (Accor Stadium).
• Round one, 2024 – Sea Eagles 36-24 Rabbitohs (Allegiant Stadium).
• Round four, 2023 – Rabbitohs 13-12 Sea Eagles (Accor Stadium).
• Round eight, 2022 – Rabbitohs 40-22 Sea Eagles (Central Coast Stadium).
• Preliminary Final, 2021 – Rabbitohs 36-16 Sea Eagles (Suncorp Stadium).

Match Details and Where To Watch

Fixture: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles

Date: Sunday 6 July

Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEST)

Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Where to Watch: Nine, Kayo and Foxtel