One of rugby league’s greatest rivalries takes centre stage on Friday night as the Rabbitohs and Roosters clash in the final round of the regular season. South Sydney still have plenty to play for, with a home final and the Ron Coote Cup on the line, while the Roosters have chosen to rest a host of stars ahead of September. With Jai Arrow celebrating his 100th game for the Rabbitohs, Latrell Mitchell returning to the starting side, and Alex Johnston chasing another milestone season, there is no shortage of storylines heading into a blockbuster Sydney derby.

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Matchday Details

Friday, 4 September 2026 – 8:00pm AEST – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
📺 Nine Network / Nine Now / Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Adam Gee | Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Jack Wighton, 5. Campbell Graham, 23. Jai Arrow, 7. Jayden Sullivan, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Keaon Koloamatangi, 11. David Fifita, 12. Adam Elliott, 13. Cameron Murray (c), 6. Cody Walker, 14. Matthew Dufty, 15. Lachlan Hubner, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Jamie Humphreys, 18. Euan Aitken, 19. Latrell Siegwalt, 20. Liam Le Blanc, 21. Talanoa Penitani, 22. Peter Mamouzelos

Sydney Roosters: 1. Cody Ramsey, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Fetalaiga Pauga, 4. Tommy Talau, 5. Rex Bassingthwaighte, 6. Reece Foley, 7. Toby Rodwell, 8. Spencer Leniu, 9. Benaiah Ioelu, 10. Lindsay Collins (c), 11. Salesi Foketi, 12. Egan Butcher, 13. Connor Watson, 14. Tom Rodwell, 15. Taylor Losalu, 16. De La Salle Va’a, 17. Aston Warwick, 18. Jake Elliott, 19. Hayden Barton, 20. Lui Lee, 21. Max McCathie, 22. Nat Butcher

Match Preview

The final round of the regular season has arrived, and the game’s two oldest rivals will go head-to-head in a derby that has plenty of storylines surrounding it.

For South Sydney, the biggest story is Jai Arrow taking the field for the 100th time in a Rabbitohs jersey. It will also mark the first time the club plays a home game at Allianz Stadium against the Roosters, while victory will see them earn sixth on the ladder and a home final.

For the Roosters, the main story surrounds their squad. Following Sam Walker’s syndesmosis injury last weekend, Trent Robinson has opted to rest 10 starters for this game with no chance of finishing outside third or fourth.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has made several changes to the side that beat the Gold Coast last weekend, headlined by Latrell Mitchell returning to the starting side for the first time since Round 11. Mitchell takes the place of Tallis Duncan, who is being rested due to hamstring tightness. Jye Gray and Adam Elliott return to the side, pushing Matt Dufty and Euan Aitken to the interchange.

No fewer than 10 Roosters have been rested for Friday night’s game, with James Tedesco, Billy Smith, Hugo Savala, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson and Siua Wong all out of the side and Nat Butcher among the reserves. Angus Crichton and Victor Radley also remain out. Daniel Tupou returns from injury just in time for finals, joined by Cody Ramsey, Rex Bassingthwaighte, Fetalaiga Pauga, and Tommy Talau in a new-look backline. Reece Foley and Toby Rodwell, who have played 16 NSW Cup games together, will play in the halves after each debuting during the Origin period. Spencer Leniu and Lindsay Collins will start at prop, with Collins also captaining the side. Benaiah Ioelu will start at hooker, while Egan Butcher and Connor Watson move to the back row from the bench. The new-look bench will feature Tom Rodwell, Taylor Losalu, De La Salle Va’a and potential debutants Aston Warwick, Jake Elliott, and Hayden Barton.

The rivalry between the two teams is famous, but the stadium issues have kicked it up a gear. Ever since the new Allianz Stadium opened, South Sydney have campaigned to move there despite signing a long-term deal at Accor Stadium, while the Roosters have taken cheeky shots at them, including referring to them as “Visiting Team” on the scoreboard during their match-up in Round 2.

It will be a big night for South Sydney’s left edge. Mitchell will play his 97th game for the club, edging past his Roosters tally of 96. Alex Johnston is one try away from becoming the first person in 72 years to score 30 tries in a regular season. Additionally, Keaon Koloamatangi and David Fifita will each play their 150th first grade games.

There will be plenty of pressure on the Roosters forwards. Collins and Leniu have been maligned at times for not filling the hole left by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at the end of 2024 and will need to step up to give their team a chance. With Salesi Foketi, Egan Butcher, and Watson in the back row, they still have a forward pack that can pack plenty of punch.

The Roosters have had the better of this fixture in recent times, winning six of their past seven matches. They are also undefeated in five regular season matches against the Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium since its 2022 opening.

After the Roosters’ 26-18 win in Round 2, the Rabbitohs require victory by at least nine points in order to claim the Ron Coote Cup for the first time since 2022. It would be their 10th Ron Coote Cup triumph, equalling the Roosters’ record.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Rabbitohs by 30.
Full Round 27 tips → /nrl-round-27-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Alex Johnston to score four tries.

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Lachlan Jeffery
Panthers lower grades reporter for The Western Weekender.

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