Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 1 clash between the Rabbitohs and Dolphins.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
South Sydney Rabbitohs Vs The Dolphins
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Date: Friday March 7, 8:05pm (ADST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Salesi Ataata
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Josh Kerr 20. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai
Referee: Adam Gee
Bunker: Ashley Klein
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
This clash was meant to be all about Wayne Bennett, and ultimately by full-time on Friday night it still could be, but in the meantime something by the name of Alfred – which probably smiles as often – has had an even bigger impact with the match moving from Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium to Sydney’s CommBank Stadium due to the rare event of a cyclone heading straight for the Queensland capital. A speedy and common sense move by NRL given the two teams play each other later in the season.
The match-up of Wayne Bennett’s current and most recent sides gives the game a real talking point, and given the record of teams post-Wayne Bennett, the Dolphins and their new head coach Kristian Woolf will be keen to make a statement. And the Dolphins looked very good in their first trial win, with some encouragement despite losing their second trial game.
The NRL’s newest team head into their first game of their third season with a new captain in Tom Gilbert, replacing the retired Jesse Bromwich, and Gilbert’s return from injury will be a welcome one, as he has been greatly missed by the Dolphins up the middle. There’s some added muscle up the middle too with Daniel Safiti joining from Newcastle for the season. Another new signing for 2025 whose pre-season form has seen him overtake others into the starting side is ex-Cowboy Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who was this website’s pre-season pick as the Player to Watch for the Dolphins in 2025. He may well become a fan favourite in time, but will have to wait behind Ray Stone in the meantime.
The backline for the Dolphins is mostly as expected with only Jack Bostock missing after suffering an injury in the second trial. He has been replaced by another canny off-season signing in Junior Tupou from the Wests Tigers. The new signings are key for the Dolphins to overcome the second half of the season fade-outs that have cost them finals football in their first two seasons. Making the finals in 2025 will certainly show Bennett and his curse.
South Sydney’s preparation to bounce back from a dismal 16th place finish in 2024 could barely have got off to worse start, with two underwhelming losses in the trial games, and two key injuries just before the start of the season proper. It’s a shame as Latrell Mitchell looked leaner and keener than ever and looks out for a month at least, and the ever reliable captain Cameron Murray is out for even longer. At least Cody Walker has been named at five eighth, as even he was doubtful at one stage. The Rabbitohs also don’t have Alex Johnston, who with a good season could break the try scoring record, but that could be a silver lining allowing Tyrone Munro to get a chance on the wing.
Bennett has made an interesting selection in the halfback position with off-season recruit Jamie Humphreys being preferred over the Super League signing of Lewis Dodd, Humphreys earning the position with better performances so far rather than reputation. Will it be one of those Bennett masterstrokes? Hopefully for Souths fans, as the halfback position has been an issue.
The H2H stats show a win a piece for the Dolphins and Rabbitohs, with both games having been played in Queensland: the Rabbitohs’ win in 2023 was at Suncorp Stadium and last season’s Dolphins triumph at Kayo Stadium. The Dolphins have lost their only game at CommBank Stadium in 2023, while Souths have a W2 L1 record. Coincidentally, both teams’ losses came against the Wests Tigers. The Dolphins have a dreadful record in Sydney with a W1 L6 record away in Sydney – which is a worry.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Dolphins by 8 points.
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