Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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Canberra host South Sydney in a special milestone match for their gentle giant.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Canberra Raiders team news
Veteran enforcer Josh Papalii has been named to play his 319th game for the Raiders, breaking the club’s all-time appearance record in the process. Papalii will surpass Jason Croker’s record which has stood for almost 20 years. Only Croker and Jarrod Croker have played 300 games for the Green Machine. Head Coach Ricky Stuart promotes the front rower to the starting side in a classy move, his first start since Round 7. Morgan Smithies moves to the bench, with Corey Horsburgh shifting to lock to accommodate Papalii.
Squad: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin 19. Trey Mooney 20. Danny Levi 21. Jed Stuart 22. Ethan Sanders
South Sydney Rabbitohs team news
Head Coach Wayne Bennett welcomes back Cody Walker and JackWighton and they slot immediately into their rightful positions, with Bayley Bentley-Hape and Jayden Sullivan making way. Sullivan has taken up a spot on the bench, while Isaiah Tass shifts to the wing. Jye Gray is the odd man out and has dropped to the extended bench, while Liam Le Blanc has been promoted from 18th man and joins the interchange bench.
Squad: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Davvy Moale 19. Jye Gray 20. Tyrone Munro 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Jacob Host
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs prediction
He has been the heart and soul of this team for over a decade, and to now see him stand alone as the club’s most capped player is a proud moment for all of us.”
Canberra will see a Sunday clash as the second-placed Raiders play host to a South Sydney Rabbitohs side looking to break into the top eight.
The Raiders (2nd) secured a thrilling 26-24 victory over the Sydney Roosters in Round 13, their third win on the trot and fourth in five.
The Rabbitohs (9th) suffered a high-scoring 36-30 loss to the New Zealand Warriors in Round 13. Their recent form has been up and down with two wins and five losses in their past two months.
Hudson Young has been in prolific try-scoring form, crossing for 10 tries in his 12 appearances this season. For the rabbitohs Alex Johnston (203) tallied three tries in Round 13 to take his total to 8 tries in just 5 games for the 2025 season as he continues to chase the all-time try-scoring record of 212.
In their sole meeting in 2024 (R21), the Raiders defeated the Rabbitohs 32-12 at GIO Stadium. The Raiders hold a 37-24 advantage in their overall head-to-head record.
The Raiders have been formidable, particularly at home, and will be tough to beat. The Rabbitohs, however, will be a different proposition with the return of Walker and Wighton.
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs tip: Canberra Raiders to win
