Matchday Details
Friday, September 5 – 8pm (AEST) – Allianz Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Adam Gee | Bunker: Liam Kennedy
Roosters
1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Billy Smith, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Hugo Savala, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Spencer Leniu, 9. Connor Watson, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Victor Radley, 13. Naufahu Whyte, 14. Benaiah Ioelu, 15. Egan Butcher, 16. Blake Steep, 17. Siua Wong, 18. Ethan King, 19. Salesi Foketi, 20. Sandon Smith, 21. Tom Rodwell, 22. Makahesi Makatoa
Rabbitohs
1. Jye Gray, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Isaiah Tass, 4. Jack Wighton, 5. Tyrone Munro, 6. Ashton Ward, 7. Jamie Humphreys, 8. Sean Keppie, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Keaon Koloamatangi, 11. Tallis Duncan, 12. Jai Arrow, 13. Lachlan Hubner, 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Jacob Host, 16. Cody Walker, 17. Cameron Murray, 18. Euan Aitken, 19. Peter Mamouzelos, 20. Shaquai Mitchell, 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, 22. Lewis Dodd
Match Preview
Australia’s greatest club sporting rivalry headlines round 27 of the NRL season and there’s more than just two competition points at stake.
The Roosters need to win in order to secure a finals berth, otherwise they’ll be relying on Canberra beating the Dolphins.
Alex Johnston is three tries away from breaking Ken Irvine’s career try-scoring record and the South Sydney local junior would love nothing more than to break the record against the Roosters, especially at the Roosters’ home at Allianz Stadium, the site of one of the ongoing conflicts between the two clubs.
The Ken Irvine Medal for the season’s top tryscorer is up for grabs as well, with Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase leading the way on 20 following his four-try haul in Melbourne last weekend, while teammate Daniel Tupou sits fourth on 18. Johnston is the Rabbitohs’ leader with 15.
There’s just one change to the Roosters side that demolished the Storm 40-10, with Sam Walker returning from concussion protocols at halfback and Sandon Smith dropping to the reserves.
Wayne Bennett has named Cameron Murray on the bench for his first game since round 25, 2024, following a preseason Achilles injury, while Jack Wighton also returns in the centres. Tallis Duncan moves to the back row and Jacob Host to the bench, with Thomas Fletcher and Peter Mamouzelos dropping out of the 17.
The Roosters have been hot-and-cold all season and are left with a must-win game if they are to make the finals. Confidence will be running high after a big victory against the Storm, their fourth in the past five rounds, however their record at Allianz Stadium in 2025 has been poor (three wins and six losses). Their recent winning form has largely been off the back of an improved completion rate, while their only loss in the last five rounds came in a game where they struggled to complete at better than 50%. The Roosters need 27,184 people to attend to set a new club record for highest average home crowds (primary home venue only).
It’s been a disastrous season for the Rabbitohs, including a run of nine consecutive losses mid-year. They’ve experienced some joy with three wins in their past three games, can avoid the bottom four, and potentially end the Roosters’ finals hopes with a final round win.
The Roosters have won five of the past six regular season matches between the two clubs, including all three at Allianz Stadium. The Rabbitohs won their last match-up 20-14 at Accor Stadium in round 5. This match will serve as the second leg of the Ron Coote Cup, decided on aggregate each season. The two clubs have a history of final round matches deciding ladder positions, notably 2022 when the Roosters beat the Rabbitohs to a home final and 2023 when the Roosters leapt past the Rabbitohs into the top eight.
With everything to play for, there’s no reason for the Roosters to not turn up, however the Rabbitohs will love nothing more than to be the biggest spoilers they can.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Roosters by 2.
See our full Round 27 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 27 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
