The Bunnies nearly stole a late win against the top eight Dolphins late round, but some wayward goal-kicking saw their run of five straight wins come to a halt after going down 36-28.
For Round 20, they will take their game to Gosford and take on a desperate Wests Tigers side who put what coach Benji Marshall has described as their worst performance of the season in going down 58-6 to the Sharks.
To make matters worse, skipper Api Koroisau suffered a calf injury and would be in some doubt for this match, with team-mate Alex Seyfarth set to be unavailable after leaving the field early in the second half after suffering a head knock and displaying Category 1 symptoms.
Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray is the sole Origin representative in this game, but is likely to back up in the 17 if unscathed from the decider.
Team News
Rabbitohs: Just the one change to the starting side from last week’s loss to the Dolphins with NSW back-rower Cameron Murray named to return in place of Jai Arrow, who has been playing wounded for a number of weeks. Siiva Havili makes his return from a calf injury on the bench with Liam Le Blanc going to the reserves.
Wests Tigers: Tallyn Da Silva takes over at hooker with injured skipper Api Koroisau (calf) named among the reserves but unlikely to play. Luke Laulilii has been recalled on the wing with Alex Lobb sidelined by an ankle injury. Heath Mason and Reuben Porter also drop out of the side humbled by the Sharks. They are replaced on the bench by Latu Fainu and Alex Twal, who returns from a head knock.
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won seven of their past eight games against the Tigers.
- The Tigers have not won in Gosford since 2011.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored nine tries in his past five games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have conceded 138 points in their past three games.
- Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook will make his 200th NRL appearance for the club.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.