Accor Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 9 NRL game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Penrith Panthers. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Penrith Panthers game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday May 2, 2024 at 7:50 pm
Where: Accor Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers Odds
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers Preview
The axe fell on South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou just 48 hours before the teams daunting assignment against Penrith, leaving interim coach Ben Hornby with a near-impossible task to lift the struggling Rabbitohs.
Demetriou received his pink slip after Souths won just five of their last 20 games including a 1-6 start to 2024 that sees the heavyweights sitting last on the ladder.
A 54-20 Anzac Day loss to Melbourne was a continuation of an appalling defensive record, only once conceding less than 28 points this season.
Izaac Thompson returns to the wing for the suspended Taane Milne, while Davvy Moale and Michael Chee-Kam will start in the pack, Keaon Koloamatangi has been named at prop and Tom Burgess will come off the bench.
However Latrell Mitchell still has one week of his suspension to serve.
The 6-2 Panthers are rumbling along while playing well within themselves, holding off a stirring Cowboys comeback 26-20 in Townsville last Saturday after charging to a 24-4 lead early in the second half of Nathan Clearys return match.
Sunia Turuva and Moses Leota both return after their late scratchings last week.
Penrith has won 10 of its last 12 against Souths and the clubs played out a gripping series in the first eight rounds of 2023: the Panthers won 16-10 at home, before the Rabbitohs got up in a 20-18 thriller.
The latter result confirmed Souths as a title threat but its been all downhill since then for the club.
Souths have lost their last four at Accor Stadium conceding 31.5 points on average while the Panthers have won 10 of their last 12 at the venue, including two grand finals and three preliminary finals.
Theres a long NRL narrative of teams pulling off stunning upsets (or least being gallant in defeat) following a coach sacking, but the Rabbitohs have very little prospect of getting close to a near-full-strength Panthers side eager to flex their offensive muscle for one of the few times this season.
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South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers Tip
We're tipping Penrith Panthers to win at $1.22 odds.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers Teams
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Jacob Gagai 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Keaon Koloamatangi 9. Damien Cook 10. Davvy Moale 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Jai Arrow 18. Tallis Duncan 19. Sean Keppie 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Dion Teaupa 22. Adam Christensen
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Jack Cole 19. Paul Alamoti 20. Brad Schneider 21. Preston Riki 22. Tyrone Peachey
