South Sydney welcome back a host of key stars as they look to strengthen their grip on a finals spot against a Parramatta side searching for consistency. Can the Rabbitohs make a statement, or will the Eels produce another upset?

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Matchday Details

Saturday 8th August – 7:35pm (AEST) – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Wyatt Raymond | Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Matthew Dufty, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Tallis Duncan, 4. Jack Wighton, 5. Campbell Graham, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Ashton Ward, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Keaon Koloamatangi, 11. David Fifita, 12. Adam Elliott, 13. Cameron Murray (c), 14. Jye Gray, 15. Lachlan Hubner, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Jamie Humphreys, 18. Jayden Sullivan, 19. Thomas Fletcher, 20. Liam Le Blanc, 21. Moala Graham-Taufa, 22. John Radel

Parramatta Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi, 2. Brian Kelly, 3. Will Penisini, 4. Jordan Samrani, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Ronald Volkman, 7. Mitchell Moses (c), 8. Sam Tuivaiti, 9. Tallyn Da Silva, 10. Luca Moretti, 11. Jack Williams, 12. Kitione Kautoga, 13. Jack De Belin, 14. Saxon Pryke, 15. Junior Paulo, 16. Teancum Brown, 17. Kelma Tuilagi, 18. Joash Papalii, 19. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, 20. Toni Mataele, 21. Sean Russell, 22. Ryley Smith

Match Preview

At 26 competition points, the Rabbitohs are not yet considered a lock for the finals. They still need wins to maintain a healthy buffer over the teams chasing them, and there may be no better opportunity than against a lower-placed Eels side. However, Parramatta have been gritty in recent weeks and won’t make things easy, particularly as they look to build momentum for next season.

The Rabbitohs are coming off a significant 32-16 loss to the Sharks. It was always going to be a difficult assignment against a side now entrenched in the top four, and the result perhaps highlighted that South Sydney are still a step below the competition’s elite. Meanwhile, the Eels scraped past the Tigers in a scrappy, error-riddled contest. It was the sort of performance a coach would hardly bother reviewing, as the sheer number of mistakes spoke for themselves.

There are plenty of key inclusions for the Rabbitohs, with Cameron Murray, David Fifita, and Tallis Duncan all returning. Keaon Koloamatangi shifts back to prop, while Fifita slots into the second row, giving South Sydney arguably one of their strongest line-ups of the season. For the Eels, Luca Moretti returns at prop, allowing Jack Williams to move into the second row. Kelma Tuilagi has been relegated to the bench after a poor showing last week, while centre Sean Russell has been named among the reserves and could yet earn a late call-up.

With so many important players returning, the Rabbitohs will be aiming to produce a statement performance. Murray’s ability to generate some of the quickest play-the-balls in the competition is likely to be crucial, creating early opportunities for Cody Walker to get quality ball to his outside backs. When coupled with Parramatta’s well-documented struggles to contain ruck speed, it shapes as the biggest point of difference between the two sides.

For the Eels, the message has been repeated all season: get the basics right. Last week they won despite themselves, completing at just 67 per cent while making numerous errors and effectively rolling out the red carpet for the Tigers. Yet two weeks earlier against the Panthers, they showed that when they complete their sets they are capable of staying in the contest. At this stage, though, it’s a lottery whether they’ll complete above 90 per cent or spill the ball every second set. If they produce a repeat of last week’s performance, the Rabbitohs could put a cricket score on them.

If the Rabbitohs dominate the middle as expected, they should create plenty of opportunities late in the game. Fifita, in particular, looms as a player to watch opposite Kitione Kautoga, who has shown promising glimpses but still has enough inconsistency in his game for a player of Fifita’s calibre to exploit.

For the Eels to have any chance, Mitchell Moses must stand up. While he laid on the match-winning try last week, it was otherwise one of his poorest performances in recent memory. As the team’s captain and most experienced player, he needs to lead from the front. If Parramatta can complete their sets, kick to the corners, and execute the simple fundamentals, they can keep themselves in the contest.

These sides have met 138 times, with the Rabbitohs winning 79 of those encounters. South Sydney also hold the recent edge, with the Eels yet to beat them since 2023. Ultimately, the Rabbitohs have the stronger side on paper, more to play for, and should be winning this one.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Rabbitohs by 12.
Full Round 23 tips → /nrl-round-23-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Alex Johnston to score a double.

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