Optus Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 6 NRL game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Queensland Cowboys. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. North Queensland Cowboys game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday April 12, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Where: Optus Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North Queensland Cowboys Odds
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview
South Sydney and North Queensland head to Perth with unexpected momentum after recording some gutsy wins in recent weeks.
The 4-1 Rabbitohs have been one of the under-the-radar surprises of the competition after suffering multiple big-name injury blows in the pre-season.
They followed up a 28-18 win over shorthanded Penrith with a remarkable 20-14 comeback victory against Sydney Roosters last Friday.
Latrell Mitchell and Jayden Sullivan steered the Rabbitohs to their courageous win after halves Jamie Humphreys and Cody Walker succumbed to hamstring injuries – and the duo will start there this week.
Fullback Jye Gray leads the Dally M count, justifying Wayne Bennett’s call to keep him in the No.1.
Alex Johnston returns to replace Mikaele Ravalawa (also hamstring) and Euan Aitken makes his club debut at centre.
The Cowboys have turned around an 0-3 start with consecutive wins over Canberra in steamy Townsville (30-20) and Penrith in Sydney (22-18), fighting back from a deficit in the latter and closing out the premiers with outstanding goal-line and scramble defence.
Reuben Cotter is back for the Cowboys, with Harrison Edwards dropping out in their only change.
After losing seven straight to Souths, North Queensland won sole encounters in 2023 at Accor Stadium (31-6) and 2024 at Magic Round (28-22) with Tom Dearden scoring three tries across the two games.
Perhaps on the strength of halves stability, the Cowboys head in as $1.75 favourites.
But Mitchell and the Rabbitohs’ band of unsung performers make a convincing underdog case.
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping North Queensland Cowboys to win at $1.72 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Murray Taulagi at $8.50.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North Queensland Cowboys Teams
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Euan Aitken 4. Jack Wighton 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Latrell Mitchell 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Davvy Moale 18. Thomas Fletcher 19. Salesi Ataata 20. Fletcher Myers 21. Haizyn Mellars 22. Nazareth Taua
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Karl Lawton 22. Thomas Mikaele