Coming off a big win in Indigenous Round against the Eels followed by a bye last week, South Sydney will be fresh and ready to go for this weekend’s clash with the Titans, as star forward Jai Arrow laces up the boots for NRL game number 150 against his former club.
Arrow made his NRL debut all the way back in 2016 for the Brisbane Broncos. He then made his way down the highway in 2018 to the Titans, for whom he played 56 games before joining the red and green in 2021.
In the three-and-a-half years that Jai has been at South Sydney, he has been one of the Rabbitohs’ most consistent players week in, week out. Whether starting or coming off the bench, playing second row, front row or lock, Arrow has made a habit of putting in whole-hearted performances, and this Saturday against his old club the Titans will be no different.
The Rabbitohs will take plenty of confidence out of their extremely strong record against the Titans ahead of this weekend’s clash. The Rabbitohs are currently on an eight-match winning streak against the Gold Coast, and boast an impressive all-time record of 16 wins and six losses dating back to 2007.
The two sides last met exactly a year ago in round 14 2023, with South Sydney coming out on top 46-28. Defence wasn’t exactly the order of the day on this occasion, with a massive 13 tries scored at a rate of almost a point per minute.
Eight of those tries belonged to the Rabbitohs, including a hat-trick to Alex Johnston, while Campbell Graham, Keaon Koloamatangi, Hame Sele, Richie Kennar and Cody Walker all added to their try scoring tallies.
Speaking of Cody Walker, he returns from a calf injury that kept him from taking the field against the Eels in Indigenous Round. He will wear the number seven jersey and will have the opportunity to partner up with five-eighth Jack Wighton for the first time in the halves. It will certainly be a treat to see how these two stars will complement each other in the halves as they look to create points and direct the team in this game.
Richie Kennar has also been named to come into the side this week for just his third NRL start of 2024. After bagging a double against Manly-Warringah in Vegas, Kennar has not played first grade since round two and will be looking to make the most of his opportunity to impress.
Kennar’s inclusion in the side will also see Michael Chee Kam push into the back row alongside milestone man Arrow.
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs are currently on an eight-match winning streak over the Titans.
- The Rabbitohs have not lost to the Titans at Robina Stadium since 2009.
- Jai Arrow has never lost a milestone game. He won his 50th game against the Panthers 30-24 in 2019 while playing for the Titans, and then won his 100th game against the Roosters 54-12 in 2021 while playing for the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs vs Titans games have typically been high-scoring affairs. Eight of the last ten clashes have had more than 40 points scored, and six of those have had over 50 points scored.
