An emotional afternoon awaits at CBUS Super Stadium as the Gold Coast Titans honour former favourite Jai Arrow, while South Sydney fight to keep their top-four and home finals aspirations alive. Expect plenty of sentiment before kick-off, but once the whistle blows, the Rabbitohs know nothing less than two competition points will do.

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Matchday Details

Saturday, 29 August 2026 – 3:00pm AEST – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
📺 Foxtel / Kayo
Referee: Liam Kennedy | Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein 

Titans: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Jaylan De Groot, 3. Jojo Fifita, 4. AJ Brimson, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Jayden Campbell, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Klese Haas, 9. Oliver Pascoe, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (c), 11. Josh Patston, 12. Kurtis Morrin, 13. Cooper Bai, 14. Moeaki Fotuaika, 15. Chris Randall, 16. Bodhi Sharpley, 17. Luke Sommerton, 18. Siale Faeamani, 19. Arama Hau, 20. Max Feagai, 21. Jett Liu, 22. Adam Christensen

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

Match Preview

Few regular-season games carry as much emotion as Saturday’s clash between the Gold Coast Titans and South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The match has been dubbed the “Titans Stand With Jai” clash, with the Titans set to wear a special jersey honouring former forward Jai Arrow, who represented the club between 2018 and 2020. All proceeds from the initiative will go towards the Family of League’s official fundraiser, ensuring a meaningful occasion for everyone involved.

Adding to the occasion, the NRL has granted special approval for Arrow to be named in South Sydney’s starting side and serve as co-captain alongside Cameron Murray in what will officially be his 99th appearance for the Rabbitohs. Arrow is expected to be interchanged immediately after kick-off, creating a memorable pre-match moment before attention turns to a contest with significant finals implications.

For South Sydney, the equation is simple: keep winning and keep the pressure on the teams above them. With Newcastle facing a difficult trip to Auckland and then holding a bye the following week, the Rabbitohs remain a genuine chance of earning a home final should results fall their way.

The Titans were competitive for long periods against Cronulla last weekend and held an eight-point lead before Nicho Hynes inspired the Sharks to a second-half comeback that ultimately delivered a 30-22 victory.

While the result was disappointing, Gold Coast showed the sort of resilience that has at times been missing this season, particularly at home where they have produced several spirited performances.

South Sydney arrive after a high-scoring defeat to the ladder-leading Warriors. Despite falling 45-26, the Rabbitohs got within a converted try with 20 minutes remaining and demonstrated enough attacking firepower to suggest they remain a dangerous proposition heading towards September.

The Bunnies have won three of their last five matches, including a crucial Round 24 victory over Canterbury that significantly impacted the Bulldogs’ finals hopes. More importantly, they still have plenty to play for with potentially a home final within reach.

Gold Coast have been forced into a change with Beau Fermor sidelined by a rib injury. Josh Patston comes into the starting side as his replacement.

South Sydney are unchanged from the team that faced the Warriors, although attention will remain firmly on the reserves list where Latrell Mitchell has been named. Mitchell has not played since Round 11’s loss to the Dolphins and remains a possibility for a late inclusion.

The Titans showed enough against Cronulla to suggest they can challenge South Sydney if they start fast and build scoreboard pressure early. Their effort and defensive commitment were evident in the first half, but the absence of injured playmaker Zane Harrison continues to impact their attacking cohesion. Without his creativity and organisational skills, the Titans have often looked short of ideas when trying to convert field position into points.

South Sydney, however, enter with a significant psychological advantage. Not only do they possess one of the competition’s strongest records at CBUS Super Stadium, but they also have far more on the line. The Rabbitohs average around 28 points per game, while the Titans concede roughly the same number, a statistic that points towards another productive afternoon for South Sydney’s attack.

Much of that responsibility will fall on the experienced quartet of Cody Walker, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham and Alex Johnston, who have repeatedly delivered in big matches. Their ability to shift the ball quickly and exploit edge defenders could create major headaches for a Titans side that has struggled to contain quality attacking teams.

Adding extra intrigue is David Fifita’s first appearance against his former club on the Gold Coast since departing for South Sydney. His anticipated battle with Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui shapes as one of the defining contests of the afternoon, with both representative forwards capable of producing momentum-shifting moments through the middle of the field. If South Sydney dominate possession and territory, they should eventually wear down the Titans’ resistance.

History strongly favours the Rabbitohs in this fixture.

South Sydney have won 75 per cent of all meetings between the clubs and boast a staggering record at CBUS Super Stadium, winning 11 of 12 matches at the venue. Their only defeat on the Gold Coast came in the very first meeting between the sides there back in May 2009.

The Titans have won just three games at CBUS this season, most notably their upset victory over Manly in Round 20. Last week’s eight-point defeat to Cronulla was also the only time they have lost by fewer than 10 points at home during 2026.

The emotional tributes surrounding Jai Arrow should make for a memorable occasion, but once football becomes the focus, South Sydney appear better equipped across the park.

The Titans will likely have moments, particularly if the home crowd helps generate early momentum, but the Rabbitohs have more attacking class, greater motivation and an outstanding record at this venue.

Expect Gold Coast to make a contest of it early before South Sydney’s firepower proves decisive in the second half.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Rabbitohs by 14
Full Round 26 tips → /nrl-round-26-predictions-2026/
Bold Prediction: The Titans lead at halftime, but South Sydney storm home after the break to win by 10 points or more.

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Matt Pritchard
Penrith Panthers Member 13120.

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