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Charity Shield Match Preview: Rabbitohs vs Dragons RD2, 2025

Daniel Szabo
Fri 21 Feb 2025, 02:57 PM

The 2025 NRL Pre-Season Challenge continues this Saturday afternoon with a trip to the central west of NSW, with beautiful Mudgee to play host to the 42nd Charity Shield clash between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons.

With kick-off for round one just around the corner, the South Sydney men will be looking to fine-tune their combinations and dust off those final cobwebs before the season proper commences. This year’s Charity Shield is the perfect opportunity to do just that, with these games always having that extra bit of spice compared to your average pre-season fixture.

Staging this match at Glen Willow Stadium in Mudgee has become one of the great traditions associated with the Charity Shield game.

The Charity Shield first ventured west in 2018, and has been played in Mudgee every year since, with the exception of 2024 which was played at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

Taking this game out to the bush has not only been a great opportunity for South Sydney to help stimulate country rugby league. It has also provided the Rabbitohs with a very happy hunting ground, having won five out of six clashes played at Glen Willow Stadium.

The 2023 edition of the Charity Shield saw South Sydney take home the chocolates in 36-degree heat, putting St George Illawarra to the sword 42-24.

The Rabbitohs were far too good for the Dragons, piling on a 26-0 halftime lead thanks to tries from Thomas Burgess, Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Jai Arrow.

Cameron Murray too was instrumental in the middle of the field, with two try assists and two line breaks in the first 40 minutes.

Returning coach Wayne Bennett will certainly be hoping for another performance resembling the above, as he takes charge of the Rabbitohs for his first Charity Shield game since 2021.

Match Highlights (Charity Shield 2023)

Team Changes

Wayne Bennett has made a host of changes to the side that went down to Sea Eagles in week one of the NRL Pre-Season Challenge. Jack Wighton, Tyrone Munro, Tallis Duncan and Jayden Sullivan all return from Indigenous All Stars representative duty to don the Red and Green for the first time in 2025.

NSW Blues and Mate Ma’a Tonga star Keaon Koloamatangi will wear the familiar number 11 jersey in what will be his first hit out of the year. New recruit Jamie Humphreys will be looking to make an impact in his first game for the Rabbitohs when he comes off the bench in number 14.