📰 NRL Match Preview: Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters RD27, 2026
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will take centre stage at Allianz Stadium on Friday night for a blockbuster round 27 clash against the Sydney Roosters, with the game's oldest rivalry providing the backdrop to a special evening for the Club.
With finals football just around the corner, there is plenty on the line for the Rabbitohs. A victory over their arch rivals would secure a home elimination final in week one of the NRL Finals Series and provide the perfect platform heading into September. Adding to the occasion is Old Boys Round, with generations of Rabbitohs coming together to celebrate the proud history of the Club in the 237th meeting between the two foundation Clubs.
The night will carry even greater significance for co-captain Jai Arrow, who will play his 100th first grade game for the Rabbitohs. Arrow will lead the team out alongside Cameron Murray and has been named to start the match at five-eighth in jersey 23 before Cody Walker enters the contest from the interchange.
Two more milestones are on the cards, with Keaon Koloamatangi and David Fifita both set to play their 150th career NRL games if they take the field on Friday night. The Rabbitohs head into the final round of the regular season sitting sixth on the ladder and with an opportunity to ensure their first Finals Series match is played in front of the Red and Green faithful. The Roosters enter the contest sitting fourth and will field a much-changed side after opting to rest a number of players ahead of the Finals Series.
With a home final on the line, Arrow celebrating a century of games in the Cardinal and Myrtle and the Club's Old Boys watching on, Friday night promises to be another memorable chapter in Rugby League's oldest rivalry.
Team Changes
Rabbitohs Head Coach Wayne Bennett has made several changes for the final match of the regular season, with Latrell Mitchell moving into the starting side at centre and Jye Gray named at fullback. Tallis Duncan will be rested, while Matthew Dufty moves to the interchange.
Jai Arrow has been named at five-eighth for his 100th Rabbitohs first grade appearance, with Cody Walker starting from the interchange before entering the contest. Jayden Sullivan remains at halfback.
Adam Elliott returns to the starting side in the second row alongside David Fifita, with Euan Aitken moving to the interchange. Cameron Murray will share the captaincy with Arrow and leads the forward pack from lock, while Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith and Keaon Koloamatangi retain their places through the middle.
The Roosters have made a host of changes, with James Tedesco, Billy Smith, Rob Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson and Siua Wong among those being rested ahead of the Finals Series, while Sam Walker is unavailable through injury.
Stats and Formlines
Victory on Friday night will confirm a home elimination final for the Rabbitohs in week one of the Finals Series. Alex Johnston will once again be one to watch on the left edge. The greatest try scorer in Australian Rugby League history has crossed for 10 tries in his past nine appearances at Allianz Stadium and will be looking to add to his remarkable tally in the final round of the regular season.
There is also a significant milestone within reach for Head Coach Wayne Bennett, who has the opportunity to record his 600th victory at NRL level on Friday night. The Rabbitohs and Roosters will meet for the 237th time, continuing a rivalry stretching all the way back to the foundation of the competition in 1908.
Gameday Information
This game will be the second leg of the Ron Coote Cup for the 2026 season, a trophy named in honour of Rugby League’s 14th Immortal and South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs legend, Ron Coote AM.
Mr Coote won six premierships and played in nine Grand Finals during his 15 seasons playing first grade with both South Sydney (four premierships) and Eastern Suburbs (two premierships). The Ron Coote Cup is played across both home and away fixtures in any given season, with the winner determined by the aggregate score from those two regular season matches. The Rabbitohs need to win by nine or more points this Friday to win the Ron Coote Cup in 2026.
Mr Coote, Rabbitohs player #528, will ring the Rabbitohs’ Legacy Bell as the teams take the field, with the Rabbitohs to be led out by co-captain, Jai Arrow.
This game is also the Rabbitohs Old Boys Day with the Souths Players Association (SPA) taking part in a lap of honour before forming a guard of honour for the teams before kick off. The SPA Old Boys will lead a ‘March to our Heartland’ on Friday night, up Driver Avenue in Moore Park to Allianz Stadium, and all Members and fans are invited to take part. Everyone is asked to meet outside Gate B at the Sydney Cricket Ground at 6:45pm with the March to our Heartland commencing at 7pm.
At half-time, MG Motor will be giving away a brand new MG HS Hybrid+ in the grand finale of the ‘Key to MG’ competition. Ten lucky winners will try their luck and if their key unlocks the car, it is all theirs!
Gates at Allianz Stadium open at 6pm, with kick off scheduled for 8pm.
