NRL Match Preview: Rabbitohs vs Broncos RD22
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will travel to Brisbane this Friday night to take on the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in what should be a thoroughly entertaining clash.
The Rabbitohs will take plenty of positives out of their tight loss to the Sharks last weekend.
While it was disappointing not to get the win, the South Sydney team tried their absolute heart out in tough circumstances and did extremely well to remain in the contest right until the dying seconds of the game. The tremendous fighting spirit that they showed will go a long way to hopefully helping defeat the Broncos on Friday night.
The Rabbitohs have a favourable record against Brisbane, having won their last two games in a row, as well as three of their last five. The most recent victory over the Broncos came earlier this season, when South Sydney secured a 22-14 win in round ten at Accor Stadium.
Latrell Mitchell was crucial on that occasion, scoring a try in the final minute and kicking three conversions and a penalty, while Siliva Havili and Isaiah Tass also crossed for four-pointers.
The Broncos have certainly had an up-and-down year in 2025, but find themselves sitting in sixth place after playing some consistent football over the last two months. While they lost 22-20 to the Eels last Friday night, Brisbane previously put together a five-match winning streak which included wins over the Titans (twice), Bulldogs, Warriors and Sharks. This streak saw them solidify their spot in the top eight, for now.
While it is never easy coming up against a top eight team away from home, with the likes of the newly re-signed Lachlan Hubner leading the way up front for South Sydney, the Members and fans can be confident that the Red and Green will not shy away from the challenge.
Lachlan Hubner: “I’m loving it, loving the boys and just want to be part of the group.”
In what is some welcome good news for all South Sydney Members and supporters, young lock forward Lachlan Hubner has re-signed with the Club until the end of 2028. Hubner arrived at the Rabbitohs at the start of this year, and has emerged as a cornerstone of the South Sydney forward pack. Hubner is all about the team, his teammates and getting wins on the weekend. Expect to see him go to another level now that he has his future sorted.
“I’m very excited. This club’s been good to me so far. I’m loving it, loving the boys and just want to be a part of the group. Like I said, it’s good to have that security as well. I just want to keep improving my game, keep getting better and be a part of the squad for as long as I can.”
Isaiah Tass: “Just the effort that everyone put in to hold a top team to two tries.”
While the result did not go South Sydney’s way on Saturday night, Isaiah Tass is incredibly proud of how he and his teammates responded to adversity and did not give up when things got difficult against the Sharks. While it is obviously disappointing not to get the two points, Tass knows that a win is not too far away if the Rabbitohs can keep showing up for each other and nailing the effort areas like they did last weekend.
“The big key take-away (from the loss to the Sharks) is probably just the effort that everyone put in to hold a top team to only two tries. It’s a big effort and a big round of applause to us as a team and I’m just very proud of everyone.”
Team Changes
Rabbitohs Head Coach Wayne Bennett has made several changes to the side that was narrowly defeated by the Sharks in round 21.
Bayleigh Bentley-Hape returns from a groin injury, and will line up on the wing for his seventh start of the season.
Jamie Humphreys is also back after suffering a concussion in round 20 against the Panthers and has been named to start at halfback.
In the forward pack, Ryan Gray will start at hooker, Jai Arrow will move back into the middle of the field to cover the loss of Junior Tatola to a shoulder injury sustained against the Sharks and Jacob Host will take Arrow’s spot in the second row. Expect some late changes to the Rabbitohs run-on team, with captain Jack Wighton sidelined for four weeks after failing to beat his shoulder charge at the judiciary on Tuesday night. Wayne Bennett confirmed during captain’s run media on Thursday morning that with Jack Wighton suspended, Jai Arrow will lead the Rabbitohs out on Friday night as captain, becoming our sixth skipper of the season and the 132nd in South Sydney’s proud history.
Finally, Thomas Fletcher has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench after being named the 18th man on four occasions this season, including the last two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have made minimal changes to their side which went down to the Eels in round 21.
In the backline, Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner have been called in on the wings, with Jesse Arthars and Josiah Karapani bowing out of the team. The forward pack and the bench remain unchanged from last week.
Recent Results
- Round ten, 2025 – Rabbitohs 22-14 Broncos (Accor Stadium).
- Round 15, 2024 – Rabbitohs 22-12 Broncos (Accor Stadium).
- Round two, 2024 – Broncos 28-18 Rabbitohs (Suncorp Stadium).
- Round 21, 2023 – Broncos 36-20 Rabbitohs (Sunshine Coast Stadium).
- Round nine, 2023 – Rabbitohs 32-6 Broncos (Suncorp Stadium).
Match Details and Where To Watch
Fixture: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Brisbane Broncos
Date: Friday 1 August
Kick-off: 8pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Where to Watch: Nine, Kayo and Foxtel
