NRL Round Five Preview: Rabbitohs vs Roosters 2025
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will take on their arch rivals, the Sydney Roosters, this Friday night in the first leg of the 2025 Ron Coote Cup. Named in honour of Ron Coote, a six-time premiership winner over a distinguished 15-year career, this year marks the 19th edition of the Cup.
South Sydney will enter this one with the wind truly in their sails coming off a win against the defending premiers Penrith and a three-and-one start to the season. They will no doubt see this as a great opportunity to help regain the Cup from their rivals, who have won just one game to start 2025.
The Rabbitohs will take further confidence out of two big returns ahead of this huge clash. Representative superstar Latrell Mitchell will make his first appearance for the year and Lachlan Hubner is also back, having served a two-week suspension after a very promising start to the season.
Jack Wighton: “The work he’s doing for us is unmatched.”
Jack Wighton is full of praise for Jye Gray, who has enjoyed a wonderful start to 2025 at fullback for the Rabbitohs. Gray has averaged 213 metres per game from his four appearances so far this year. He has also managed two tries, a try assist, 16 tackle breaks and two line breaks, and sits alone atop the Dally M leader board on 14 points. Wighton, and the rest of the South Sydney team, will be hoping for more of the same from the diminutive fullback in this game.
“He’s a humble kid, mate. Someone we love playing with. He’s a little energy ball. Very brave kid. The work he’s doing for us is unmatched – 200 metres to 300 metres each game – it’s something we appreciate and we try to go off the back of him.
Jai Arrow: “I know if I’m playing Latrell I wouldn’t like to see him at left centre.”
Jai Arrow is pumped to have superstar Latrell Mitchell back in the South Sydney line up, and knows he can be dangerous for any opposition in any position on the field. With Mitchell named at centre for this clash, Arrow cannot wait to see the big man let loose for the first time this season.
“He’s huge. I think wherever he fits into our footy side he’s going to do a job to the best of his ability and I know if I’m playing Latrell I wouldn’t like to see him at left centre… It’s only going to be a great inclusion for us, and I’m just excited to see the big fella play his first proper game of the year.”
Junior Tatola: “There’s always a big challenge in the middle for us against them.”
Junior Tatola knows a thing or two about Rabbitohs-Roosters clashes, having played in many of them over his 144-game NRL career with South Sydney. The big front rower is prepared for a highly physical encounter in the middle of the field, and will be looking to help set a platform from which the Red and Green backline can pile on the points.
“This is probably a good battle for us. As you said, there’s been a lot of rivalry with these two clubs and there’s always a big challenge in the middle for us against them… We’ve just got to keep doing our thing in the middle and let the backs do their thing and score the tries.”
Team Changes
Coach Wayne Bennett has made a number of changes to the side that defeated Penrith in round four. Latrell Mitchell returns from a hamstring injury sustained in the preseason for his first start of 2025, in what is a massive in for the Rabbitohs. Mitchell has been named to partner Jack Wighton in the centres, with Jye Gray retaining his position at fullback. Isaiah Tass has also moved back to the wing due to Alex Johnston’s rib injury suffered in the win against Penrith last week.
Meanwhile in the forward pack, Junior Tatola has been named to start with Davvy Moale shifting to the bench. Lachlan Hubner also returns after serving a two-week suspension. He will wear jersey 13, while Tallis Duncan reverts to the bench after starting last week.
Recent Results
- Round 27, 2024 – Roosters 36-28 Rabbitohs (Accor Stadium)
- Round 3, 2024 – Roosters 48-6 Rabbitohs (Allianz Stadium)
- Round 27, 2023 – Roosters 26-12 Rabbitohs (Accor Stadium)
- Round 3, 2023 – Roosters 20-18 Rabbitohs (Allianz Stadium)
- Qualifying Final, 2022 – Rabbitohs 30-14 Roosters (Allianz Stadium)
Match Details and Where To Watch
Fixture: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters
Date: Friday 4 April
Kick-off: 8pm (AEDT)
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Tickets: Purchase tickets here
