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2022 NRL Finals: Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs preview

Match day guide and preview for the 2022 NRL Elimination Final between bitter rivals, the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Match details

  • Who: Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
  • When: Sunday 11 September, 4.05pm
  • Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
  • Weather: min 11, max 21
  • Head-to-head record: Played 228. Roosters 104 wins. Rabbitohs 119 wins. 5 draws.

Line ups

ROOSTERSRABBITOHS
James Tedesco1Latrell Mitchell
Daniel Tupou2Alex Johnston
Paul Momirovski3Isaiah Tass
Drew Hutchison4Campbell Graham
Joseph Suaalii5Taane Milne
Luke Keary6Cody Walker
Sam Walker7Lachlan Ilias
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves8Tevita Tatola
Sam Verrills9Damien Cook
Siosiua Taukeiaho10Mark Nicholls
Angus Crichton11Keaon Koloamatangi
Nat Butcher12Jai Arrow
Victor Radley13Cameron Murray
BENCHBENCH
Connor Watson14Kodi Nikorima
Egan Butcher15Hame Sele
Adam Keighran16Thomas Burgess
Matthew Lodge17Siliva Havili
RESERVESRESERVES
Kevin Naiqama18Blake Taaffe
Terrell May19Jaxson Paulo
Oliver Gildart20Davvy Moale
Fletcher Baker21Michael Chee Kam
Siua Wong22Josh Mansour

The Roosters have been dealt a huge blow with star centre Joey Manu ruled out for 2-3 weeks with a calf injury. Momirovski and Hutchison are now the two centres, while Tupou and Sualii return on the wing. Radley returns at lock, shifting Taukeiaho to prop and Lodge to the bench. Waerea-Hargreaves (hamstring) and Verrills (finger) have been named but are in some doubt to play.

The Rabbitohs have named star captain Cameron Murray despite copping a head knock early in last week’s game against the Roosters. Damien Cook returns after a positive COVID test, while Campbell Graham returns at centre.

Team profiles

Sydney Roosters 6th – 15 wins and 9 losses

Points for: 635 points for (3rd in the NRL)

Points against: 434 points against (5th)

Home record: 9-3

Away record: 6-6

Average winning margin: 19 points

Average losing margin: 9.3 points

Last 10: 8-2 – WWWWWWWWLL

Biggest win: defeated Tigers 72-6 at SCG in round 23

Biggest loss: lost to Penrith 32-12 at SCG in round 11

Most tries: Joseph Suallii and Daniel Tupou (15), James Tedesco (13)

Most try assists: Luke Keary (21), Sam Walker (15), Joseph Manu and James Tedesco (12)

Most linebreaks: Daniel Tupou (18), James Tedesco (17), Joseph Suaalii (14)

Most run metres: James Tedesco (4,969), Daniel Tupou (3,319), Joseph Manu (3,233)

Most tackles: Nat Butcher (843), Angus Crichton (739), Connor Watson (626)

Premiership players in selected 17: (3) Daniel Tupou, Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (2) James Tedesco, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Victor Radley (1) Paul Momirovski, Sam Verrills, Angus Crichton, Nat Butcher

Finals record: 59 wins, 54 losses. 52.2% win rate.

James Tedesco
Captain James Tedesco is known as a big game player and shapes as a potential match winner for the Chooks. Getty

South Sydney Rabbitohs 7th – 14 wins and 10 losses

Points for: 604 points for (6th)

Points against: 474 points against (7th)

Home record: 9-3

Away record: 5-7

Average winning margin: 16.3 points

Average losing margin: 9.8 points

Last 10: 7-3 – LWLWWLWWWW

Biggest win: defeated Warriors 48-10 at Sunshine Coast Stadium in round 21

Biggest loss: lost to Canberra 32-12 at Apex Oval in round 11 and lost to St George 32-12 at WIN Stadium in round 15

Most tries: Alex Johnston (28), Cody Walker (12), Damien Cook and Taane Milne (8)

Most try assists: Cody Walker (17), Latrell Mitchell (16), Lachlan Ilias (11)

Most linebreaks: Alex Johnston (38), Cody Walker (11), Taane Milne (9)

Most run metres: Keaon Koloamatangi (3,241), Tevita Tatola (3,102), Thomas Burgess (2,839)

Most tackles: Damien Cook (913), Cameron Murray (798), Jai Arrow (758)

Premiership players in selected 17: (2) Latrell Mitchell, (1) Alex Johnston, Thomas Burgess

Finals record: 56 wins, 40 losses. 52.7% win rate

Cameron Murray
Skipper Cam Murray will be a huge inclusion for the Rabbitohs if he is passed fit to play. Getty

Last 5 meetings

The Roosters win last weekend ended a four game losing streak over their bitter rivals that included a couple of thumpings.

It’s hard to read too much into last week’s game with both sides missing a couple of key players and Souths losing Cam Murray early on.

The Bunnies have towelled up the Chooks twice in recent seasons, racking 60 points in 2020 before piling on another 54 last year.

The last time these two sides met in a final was back in 2019 where the Roosters comfortably accounted for Souths 30-6 in a Qualifying Final.

Pre match predictions

Butcher knife: Nat Butcher to slice through the Rabbits defence for a try. Roosters by 6.

Walk in the park: Sam Walker to kick all of his conversions. Roosters by 12 – Denholm Samaras

More NRL Finals previews:

Storm vs Raiders

Sharks vs Cowboys

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