Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will close out Round 18 of the 2021 NRL Premiership when they face the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Cbus Super Stadium at 6:15PM AEST this Sunday evening.
Both sides will quickly adapt to the current situation after all NSW based teams were relocated to South East Queensland midweek, as a result of the Covid epidemic in the Greater Sydney region.
The Bulldog's showed strong signs of improvement in last weekend's encounter with the Sydney Roosters. Trent Barrett and his calvary will be looking to trouble the Rabbitohs once again with Canterbury-Bankstown chalking up two wins from their past four meetings.
Coach Wayne Bennett will have the Rabbitohs focused on continuing their six game winning streak deep into September. The South's halves combination of Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker will play vital roles if their Origin stars are unavailable to backup from Wednesday's rugby league centrepiece.
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Team News
Bulldogs: Matt Doorey will start at lock, with Josh Jackson linking up with Corey Waddell in the second row. Joe Stimson has been named on the bench in place of Ofahiki Ogden who drops to the extended bench. Ava Seumanufagai completes the interchange after serving a one match suspension. Jayden Okunbor also returns to the extended bench for the first time since recovering from a ruptured ACL injury, suffered in Round 20 last year.
Rabbitohs:
Wayne Bennett has named all four of his Origin stars - Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Damien Cook and Dane Gagai - to back up against the bottom side after strutting their stuff on Wednesday night at Cbus Super Stadium. He said on Saturday they would back up, but veteran Benji Marshall - who is stranded in Sydney - has been replaced on the bench by outside back Braidon Burns. Jaxson Paulo and Josh Mansour were omitted from the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off.
Match: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Round 18 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 20 Blake TaaffeFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick Meaney
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Corey Allan
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will Hopoate
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Aaron Schoupp
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane MilneWinger for Bulldogs is number 23 Jayden Okunbor
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Lachlan Lewis
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jake Averillo
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Mark NichollsProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Jack Hetherington
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Sione Katoa
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas BurgessProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Luke Thompson
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 21 Matt Doorey
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Bulldogs is number 12 Josh Jackson
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Liam KnightInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Biondi-Odo
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Patrick MagoInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Dylan Napa
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jacob HostInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Ava Seumanufagai
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Braidon BurnsInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Ofahiki Ogden
Reserves
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Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Peter MamouzelosReserve for Bulldogs is number 5 Falakiko Manu
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key Match-Up
Lachlan Lewis v Cody Walker: Lewis had a standout game for the Belmore based side in the clash with the Roosters last weekend. The five-eighth has been unlucky this season with injuries limiting his game time in the middle. His strong 80 minute performance showed Lewis has a strong will and competitive nature to mix it with the best.
Many observers would count Walker unlucky to miss out on a chance to start for the NSW Blues against the Queensland Maroons in Game 3 of the 2021 State of Origin series. The five-eighth would not need the extra motivation after he was involved in several fiery moments with the Bulldog's Pack in Round 4 earlier in the year.
Stat Attack
Lewis has scored two tries in his three 2021 Season appearances, despite being ruled out to concussion in the opening moments of his Round 4 appearance against the Rabbitohs. Known for his defence and long kicking game, Lewis has averaged 150 kicking metres and produced a 90% tackle efficiency.
Walker has been in the thick of it for the Rabbitohs. Amassing 10 tries and 21 try assists for the season so far, the Indigenous All Star representative will continue to provide quality service for his star studded backline.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs face the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Cbus Super Stadium this Sunday evening kicking off at 6:15PM AEST.
