Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 18 clash between the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Date: Sunday, July 6, 4:05 pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Euan Aitken 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Jai Arrow 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Davvy Moale 17. Lewis Dodd 18. Ryan Gray 19. Sean Keppie 20. Jacob Host 21. Cody Walker 22. Brandon Smith
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Bunker: Grant Atkins
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Sea Eagles have had an up-and-down month of competition: beating the Cowboys, Broncos, and Wests Tigers, but losing to the Titans and a close game they really should have won against the Knights. Against the Tigers, it took them a while to get going as they looked very clunky.
Anthony Seibold finally caved and moved Tom Trbojevic to centre and Lehi Hopoate to fullback. Both players had a night to forget, but the main thing was that they got the two points. Trbojevic has played representative football at centre, but it still takes time for players to adjust to their new position at club level.
The only change Seibold has made to the team is that Tommy Talau returns from a hamstring injury. He has been named on the bench and replaces Nathan Brown, who is out with a bicep injury.
The Rabbitohs sunk to their fifth loss in a row against the Dolphins. There were a couple of games in those five weeks that they could have won. They were the first to score against the Dolphins but then let Isaiya Katoa dictate the play. They finished with a wet sail – but the damage had been done.
Alex Johnston has been named at fullback with Latrell Mitchell out with Origin duty. Isaiah Tass comes into the team on the wing. Euan Aitken has been named in the centres. Jack Wighton has been named at five-eighth, replacing Cody Walker, who is out with a hamstring injury. Liam Le Blanc and Lewis Dodd have been named on the bench. Former Sydney Rooster Brandon Smith, who hasn’t played since round 26 last year after injuring his ACL, has been named as a reserve.
The halves for both sides will need to stand up this weekend. Jamie Humphreys and Wighton will need to get on the front foot like they did against the Dolphins, but this time they need to keep the pressure on. While they don’t need to play catch-up footy, the Sea Eagles have shown they don’t always go on to win the game. That will be the challenge for Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans. They looked clunky in the first half but found their footing in the second half. They need to go out and lead their side to a convincing win if they are to play finals this year.
Lehi Hopate and Tom Trbojevic will be much better this week after getting last week’s game out of their system. It will be hard to believe that both players would serve up the same game two weeks in a row when fans know they can do better.
All eyes will be on Johnston this week as he gets ready to break the all-time try-scoring record (which Ken Irvine holds). Johnston was unable to get across the line against the Dolphins – but playing fullback this week will give him the license to roam and a chance to score more than one try, which fans know he is capable of.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sea Eagles by 8 points.
Check out our round 18 predictions here.
What’s your prediction? Drop it in the comments below.
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