South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL

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All eyes will be on Alex Johnston as the South Sydney Rabbitohs host the St George Illawarra Dragons at Accor Stadium on Thursday to kick off Round 25.

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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

South Sydney Rabbitohs team news

Keaon Koloamatangi returns in a huge boost for the Rabbitohs, with initial fears his season was over after suffering a syndesmosis injury. Tallis Duncan has been named in the centres after he shifted into the role in Round 24 to cover for Bayleigh Bentley-Hape who suffered a head knock. Jai Arrow has shifted to the back row to accommodate the returning Lachlan Hubner, while Wayne Bennett hasn’t made any changes to his halves. Ashton Ward remains, with Cody Walker on the bench alongside Peter Mamouzelos and Brandon Smith.

Squad: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Jacob Host 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Brandon Smith 16. Cody Walker 17. Thomas Fletcher 18. Shaquai Mitchell 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Haizyn Mellars 22. Lewis Dodd

St. George Illawarra Dragons team news

After three head knocks to Hamish Stewart, Jack de Belin and Hame Sele, that trio will sit out in Round 25. Blake Lawrie joins the bench following their omission, while Ben Murdoch-Masila and Jacob Halangahu have been named in the run-on side. Tyrell Sloan, after being 18th man last week, has been named on the bench.

Squad: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jacob Halangahu 13. Ben Murdoch-Masila 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Tyrell Sloan 18. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 19. Viliami Fifita 20. Nathan Lawson 21. Lachlan Ilias

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St. George Illawarra Dragons prediction

South Sydney (15th) recorded a hard-fought 20-16 victory against the Parramatta Eels last week. It was the eighth of the season for the Rabbitohs and moved them four points clear of the Gold Coast Titans in last place with next week's game against Sydney Roosters to come as well as a bye in Round 26.

Through all their injury dramas in 2025 the Rabbitohs have continued to dig deep and show pride in the jersey.

The St George Illawarra Dragons (12th) also showed some resolve to take down the Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders in recent weeks before a narrow 14-10 loss to the New Zealand Warriors last Friday. They have been forced into multiple changes this week due to concussion protocols but have played better than their record suggests in the past two months.

Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston still needs four tries to break Ken Irvine's all-time premiership record of 212 after going without a four-pointer in last weekend's win over the Eels.

Finals may be out of reach but every battle between these two old rivals has plenty of storylines and this Thursday is no different with Johnston chasing history and the Dragons chasing revenge for a one-point loss in Round 2 at WIN Stadium.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St. George Illawarra Dragons tip: Total match points over 39.5 & Alex Johnston to score a try