Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 7 clash between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Date: Friday April 18, 4:05pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Jack Todd 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Viliame Kikau
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Campbell Graham 3. Euan Aitken 4. Jack Wighton 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Latrell Mitchell 7. Cody Walker 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Lewis Dodd 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Davvy Moale 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Salesi Ataata 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Declan Casey 22. Joshua Schuster
Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Ashley Klein
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
One of rugby league’s great rivalries lights up Accor Stadium this Friday afternoon, with the red-hot Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs taking on an understrength South Sydney Rabbitohs outfit in the traditional Good Friday game.Â
This one promises to be a blockbuster in front of a crowd tipped to exceed 60,000.
The Bulldogs are gunning for a perfect 6-0 start to the season — a feat that would send a serious statement to the rest of the NRL. They’re fresh off the bye though, and teams have sometimes struggled to hit the ground running after a week off. Still, head coach Cameron Ciraldo will be confident his side is ready to keep rolling.
Canterbury are bolstered by the return of key playmaker Matt Burton, who slots straight back into the No.6 jersey. Powerful second-rower Viliame Kikau is also a chance to return after being named on the extended bench — a massive potential inclusion given his impact on both sides of the ball.
South Sydney, meanwhile, continue to battle with injuries and player availability. The biggest talking point is Latrell Mitchell again being named in the halves — an unusual move but one born out of necessity with key spine players sidelined. It’s a big ask against a Bulldogs outfit humming with confidence and cohesion.
This is a game the Bulldogs have struggled to win for several seasons, not surprising given the state of the club before Ciraldo took over. Souths won last year’s Good Friday clash 20-16, while Canterbury lead the head-to-head 24-22 (and one draw) since 1998.Â
It’s hard to see past the Bulldogs in this one. They’re rested, close to full strength, and flying high. Souths are gutsy, but missing too many troops and up against a side that’s found its rhythm.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Bulldogs by 18 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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