After consecutive road trips to Canberra and Cronulla respectively, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will be back at Accor Stadium this Thursday night when they take on the Melbourne Storm in the opening game of round 23.
The Rabbitohs will certainly welcome the opportunity to return to their home ground after two weeks on the road. They have a 62% win record at Accor Stadium, and are currently on a three-match winning streak at the ground.
You only need to go back to season 2022 to find the last time that the Red and Green were victorious over the Storm at Accor Stadium.
It was round 19, and the Rabbitohs went into the Melbourne clash coming off a three-match win streak having previously defeated the Eels, the Knights and the Bulldogs. With momentum on their side for much of the game, South Sydney were simply impossible to stop on the night, coming out winners 24-12.
Alex Johnston was instrumental with two tries on the left wing, with Latrell Mitchell throwing the final pass to set Johnston up on both occasions. AJ’s second try was particularly impressive, with Mitchell picking up the loose ball after his own grubber kick deflected off a Melbourne leg, only to throw an outrageous flick pass to an unmarked Johnston to score in the corner.
It was certainly a memorable win for the Rabbitohs, with Keaon Koloamatangi, Lachlan Ilias and Jaxson Paulo also getting over the line during the match. South Sydney will be hoping to channel this result into their performance against Melbourne this week.
This match is also a special occasion for local junior Davvy Moale, who will line up for his 50th NRL appearance. Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, the front rower debuted for the Rabbitohs in round 20 of 2021 against the St George Illawarra Dragons. He has since played 49 games for the Club, as well as four Tests for the Cook Islands. Moale has been one of South Sydney’s most consistent contributors in 2024, averaging 89 run metres and 20 tackles per game. He has missed just one game this season and has started every game since round nine against the Panthers after beginning the season off the bench.
At just 21 years of age, the former Coogee-Randwick Wombat has a very bright future ahead of him at South Sydney. Now that he has cemented a spot in the NRL side, it certainly feels like the best is yet to come for Davvy Moale.
Coach Ben Hornby has made several changes to the 17 after a number of injuries occurred during the Sharks game last weekend. Cody Walker returns to the side after missing last week’s game with calf tightness. He replaces Dion Teaupa, who suffered an AC joint injury while filling in for Walker last week.
Jacob Host is also out with an abdominal strain. Michael Chee Kam has been elevated to the starting side in his stead, while Shaquai Mitchell joins the bench from the reserves for his first NRL game since round six. Mitchell made his return to the NSW Cup two weeks ago and managed to score a four pointer last week.
Finally, Peter Mamouzelos comes onto the bench in place of the injured Siliva Havili, who suffered a hamstring injury in the loss to the Sharks.
Stat Attack
- Rabbitohs are on a three-match winning streak at Accor Stadium, defeating the Eels, the Broncos and the Sea Eagles.
- The Rabbitohs also have a 62% overall win record at their home ground.
- Davvy Moale has averaged 89 running metres and 20 tackles per game this season across 18 matches.
- Davvy Moale has scored three tries in his 49-game career, all of which were this season.
- South Sydney have won two of their last four games against the Storm.
