NRL Round 5 Match Preview: Bulldogs Facing Rested Rabbitohs

Author: bulldogs.com.au
Timestamp: Thu 2 Apr 2026, 03:24 PM

It's one of the biggest games on the NRL calendar, and a big test awaits the Bulldogs against a renewed Rabbitohs outfit coming off the bye.

Download Your 2026 NRL Team Poster here!

Round 5 - Round 5 - Friday 3 Apr

5:05 am

Rabbitohs

Bulldogs

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney

WatchNRL

Team Lists Get Tickets

As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 5 Match Preview.

Teamlists and Team News
History vs Rabbitohs and Last Time Out
Key Match Up
What They Said
Stat Attack
Where to Watch

Teamlists and Team News

The Bulldogs welcome back key forward pack members in Harry Hayes and Sam Hughes, who will both bring starch and impact into the middle of the field in a timely boost.

Meanwhile, Sean O'Sullivan has retained his spot on the interchange bench after making his Club debut last weekend, while Bronson Xerri joins him with an opportunity to play his first NRL match since Round 1.

South Sydney welcome back key outside back Campbell Graham, with an unchanged line up from their Round 3 victory against the Wests Tigers. Lachlan Hubner and Liam Le Blanc join their interchange bench.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Friday 3 Apr

5:05 am

Rabbitohs

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell Mitchell

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Enari Tuala
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack Wighton

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie Humphreys

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin

Forwards

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Bronson Garlick

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon Koloamatangi

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean Keppie

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Sean O'Sullivan
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam Le Blanc

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Bronson Xerri
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Jayden Sullivan

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Lipoi Hopoi
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Moala Graham-Taufa

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 21 Jake Turpin

Reserves

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Thomas Fletcher

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Logan Spinks

Campbell Graham
Lachlan Hubner

Bronson Xerri
Jake Turpin
Logan Spinks
Samuel Hughes

Latrell Siegwalt

Fletcher Baker
Jonathan Sua
Josh Curran

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated: 4/2/2026 5:52:24 AM

History vs Rabbitohs and Last Time Out: Round 15 2025

Canterbury and South Sydney have had a long and storied history since first doing battle, including two Grand Final meetings in 1967 and 2014.

While the chocolates went to the bunnies on those occasions, the Bulldogs have a superior record with 86 wins from 171 first-grade matches since 1935.

NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs vs Rabbitohs - Round 15, 2025

Since 2012, the rivals clubs have engaged in the annual Good Friday clash, and while the Red and Green have bragging rights on the overall score, few could forget the record 32-nil drubbing in last year's contest.

Last time out, the two teams did battle in Accor Stadium in an Origin-affected Round 15 clash.

Lightning forced a 25-minute delay in play, halting the Bulldogs' momentum after leading 18-nil. However, Cameron Ciraldo's team were able to claim an important 24-18 victory.

Key Match Up: Early Origin Audition for Local Wingers

While State of Origin is still a few months away, each and every game is an important one for those aspiring to wear the sky blue of New South Wales and the maroon of Queensland.

This week, two local juniors duke it out in what could be an early audition for a spot in the Blues' backline when Jacob Kiraz and Campbell Graham face off.

Kiraz Finishes It Off

Kiraz has been his busy self to start 2026, scoring a try in Las Vegas before touching down against the Knights last week, while also providing one as well. His trademark work-ethic has also seen him notch an impressive average of 198 metres.

Meanwhile, injury has kept Graham under wraps over the last 18 months, however he has bounced back into strong from in 2026 since being moved back out onto the wing with three matches from his two appearances, as well as a solid 141 metres per game.

What They Said: Max King, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes, Fletcher Baker

Max King Round 5 Media

Kurt Mann Round 5 Media

Harry Hayes Round 5 Media

Fletcher Baker Round 5 Media

Stat Attack via NRL.com

The Bulldogs have won their last two games against the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium.
Bulldogs Captain Stephen Crichton has scored 11 tries in 13 games against the Rabbitohs.
Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 96 tries from 98 games at Accor Stadium.
Rabbitohs centre Latrell Mitchell has scored 12 tries in 14 games against the

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.