Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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The final match of Round 18 sees a classic NRL rivalry reignited, as the Manly Sea Eagles host South Sydney Rabbitohs at their 4 Pines Park fortress.
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
Manly Sea Eagles team news
Minimal disruptions for Manly, with only one change to the team that prevailed over the Tigers. Tommy Talau joins the interchange, replacing Nathan Brown who is out with a biceps injury. Talau returns from a hamstring injury.
Squad: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
South Sydney Rabbitohs team news
With Latrell Mitchell in Origin camp, Alex Johnston switches to fullback in his absence. Isaiah Tass has been named on the wing and Euan Aitken takes his place in the centres. With Cody Walker sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Jack Wighton wears the No.6 with Lewis Dodd and Liam Le Blanc joining the bench.
Squad: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Euan Aitken 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Jai Arrow 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Davvy Moale 17. Lewis Dodd 18. Ryan Gray 19. Sean Keppie 20. Jacob Host 21. Cody Walker 22. Brandon Smith
Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs prediction
The Manly Sea Eagles (9th) are coming off a solid 28-10 victory over the Wests Tigers in Round 17. Their recent form has been patchy, with a record of two wins from their last five games.
The Rabbitohs (16th) are in dire straits, having lost their last five matches, including a 50-28 thrashing by the Dolphins last weekend.
Tolutau Koula has been a constant attacking threat for Manly, leading their try-scoring with 10 for the season. Alex Johnston continues to be a try-scoring marvel for the Rabbitohs, leading the struggling club with 11 tries this year despite missing multiple matches through injury.
This is one of the most evenly contested rivalries in the NRL, with the Rabbitohs holding a slender 23-22 lead in their head-to-head encounters.
This is Manly's game to lose. They are almost at full strength, and are facing their bitter rivals who are at their lowest ebb. The Rabbitohs' makeshift spine will face an enormous challenge to create scoring opportunities against a settled defensive line.
Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs tip: Manly Sea Eagles to win by 13+ points
