The Rabbitohs have shot out to an 18-0 lead over the Broncos with superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell looking like a man on a mission at Accor Stadium.
Within the first 20 minutes of the game Mitchell has had a linebreak, made over 100 running metres, produced a Broncos error from a bomb and scored a try.
MATCH CENTRE: Rabbitohs vs Broncos live updates, stats, score
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But the Bunnies’ first points came through veteran hooker Damien Cook, who has been in the headlines this week after attracting interest from the Dragons. Cook saw that the Broncos’ markers had switched off — and Brendan Piakura had his back turned — so took the opportunity to dart over from dummy-half.
Five minutes later some Cody Walker magic was on show when the star five-eighth put up a cross-field kick, which Keaon Koloamatangi caught and scored before Mitchell barged off two players to score.
“What a spectacular start from South Sydney,” Fox League’s Greg Alexander said in commentary.
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MATCH PREVIEW
There are storylines galore and Friday’s Rabbitohs-Broncos clash at Accor Stadium.
But perhaps the biggest is Latrell Mitchell’s final audition for Origin selection with the South Sydney star in the frame to replace Joseph Sua’ali’i in the centres for game two.
Mitchell was overlooked by New South Wales coach Michael Maguire for the series opener but with Sua’ali’i out through suspension, he’ll be watching Mitchell very closely.
After a horror start to the season, the Rabbitohs’ fortunes have turned in recent weeks. They’re coming off are coming off back-to-back wins with a bye in between and are chasing three straight since May, 2023.
In a big boost, inspirational skipper Cameron Murray has been named to return off the bench from a hip injury in what will be his first game since Round 9.
And it’ll be worth keeping an eye on Alex Johnston, who will become the outright second-highest tryscorer of all time and the most for one club if he crosses. He is currently tied with Storm legend Billy Slater.
The Broncos, however, have hit a tough spot in their season and are coming off back-to-back losses, with a bye in between.
Xavier Willison (personal reasons) and Kotoni Staggs (rib) are set to return after missing last week. But superstar fullback Reece Walsh is still sidelined under the game’s concussion protocols, with Tristan Sailor again to fill in.
TEAMS
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jai Arrow 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Cameron Murray 17. Thomas Burgess. 18th man: 18. Dion Teaupa
Broncos:1. Tristan Sailor 18. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Jack Gosiewski. 18th man: 20. Israel Leota