NRL Match Preview: Rabbitohs vs Cowboys RD6 2025
The South Sydney Rabbitohs travel to Perth to take on the North Queensland Cowboys this Saturday at 5:30pm AEST (3:30pm AWST) at Optus Stadium. Since 2009, the Rabbitohs have taken a home game to Perth 11 times, and will be looking forward to more fantastic support from the Perth public on the 12th occasion this Saturday.
The Rabbitohs bounced back magnificently from their round four defeat to the Sharks with a brilliant come-from-behind win over the Roosters in round five last week, giving them an overall record of four wins and one loss to start season 2025.
Unfortunately, the red and green paid a significant price for the two points with Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys and Mikaele Ravalawa sustaining hamstring injuries that have ruled them out of at least this weekend’s game.
However, with a next-man-up mentality and a tireless work ethic instilled by the master coach, Wayne Bennett, the Rabbitohs will be firing on all cylinders for this clash as they look to extend their winning run with a victory over North Queensland.
Keaon Koloamatangi: “If your name gets called, you’re expected to play well.”
The Rabbitohs are currently navigating their way through a massive injury toll, with Walker, Humphreys and Ravalawa all joining South Sydney’s ever-growing band of walking wounded over the weekend. However, Keaon Koloamatangi is not making any excuses, and insists that every player in South Sydney’s squad is capable of getting the job done at NRL level.
“We’ve just made no excuses now. Everyone that’s in the top 30, top 35, is NRL calibre and if your name gets called, you’re expected to play well. That’s what Wayne drives. Just to get the best out of yourself and then the team will be good."
Isaiah Tass: “He’s a danger to anyone."
Isaiah Tass knows a thing or two about the benefits of playing outside of Latrell Mitchell, having been on the receiving end of a beautiful cut-out ball from Mitchell from which he scored the match-winning try last weekend. With Latrell Mitchell named at five-eighth for this weekend’s clash with the Cowboys, Tass is adamant that the big man will find a way to work his magic and impact the game, regardless of what position he plays.
“I think anywhere Trell plays, his presence on the field, he’s a danger to anyone. Wherever he plays on the weekend, if he gets the ball, no matter if it’s early or whenever, he’s going to be a danger to everyone."
Sean Keppie: “I never felt as if we were going to lose.”
Despite trailing for much of the second half and being reduced to one fit player on the bench, Sean Keppie insists that it never felt as if the Rabbitohs were going to lose to the Roosters last weekend. Keppie attributes this new found sense of self-belief to Wayne Bennett and the work ethic the coach has instilled in the South Sydney playing group during the preseason.
“Just being out there, I never felt as if we were going to lose. We have that feeling this year. I think Wayne’s brought a lot to us through the preseason and instilled in us that if you work for your mate, only good things will come from it. I think you’ve seen that on the weekend. It was a great win to be a part of and I feel like there’s only more to come."
Team Changes
The Rabbitohs have been forced into several changes due to the injury toll sustained in the Roosters clash in round five. South Sydney will boast a new-look halves pairing, with Latrell Mitchell and Jayden Sullivan partnering up to replace Cody Walker and Jamie Humphreys respectively. Mitchell will also captain the side in Walker’s absence.
Alex Johnston returns from a rib injury suffered in the round four win against Penrith. He will slot in on the wing for Mikaele Ravalawa. Finally, Euan Aitken will make his South Sydney Rabbitohs debut in this game, coming into the centres alongside Jack Wighton to accommodate Mitchell’s move to five-eighth.
Recent Results
- Round 11, 2024 – Cowboys 28-22 Rabbitohs (Suncorp Stadium)
- Round 17, 2023 – Cowboys 31-6 Rabbitohs (Accor Stadium)
- Round 24, 2022 – Rabbitohs 20-10 Cowboys (Accor Stadium)
- Round 17, 2021 – Rabbitohs 46-18 Cowboys (McDonald Jones Stadium)
- Round 14, 2020 – Rabbitohs 31-30 Cowboys (QLD Country Bank Stadium)
Match Details and Where To Watch
Fixture: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North QLD Cowboys
Date: Saturday 12th April
Kick-off: 5:30pm AEST (3:30pm AWST)
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Where to Watch: Purchase Tickets Here
