Wayne Bennett will be forced to pull several Rabbitohs out of his hat with more than $3 million of star power sidelined for Thursday s blockbuster clash with premiers Melbourne.
South Sydney will go into one of the modern game s more intense rivalries without three of their biggest names, with Adam Reynolds (thumb), Cameron Murray (ankle) and Latrell Mitchell (suspension) are unavailable and amounting to around $2.4 million in salaries alone.
Reynolds is facing up to six weeks out pending a surgical consult, Murray and centre Campbell Graham (broken hand) will both be sidelined for the next month and young winger Jaxson Paulo (fractured wrist) won t be in action for up to eight weeks.
Christian Nicolussi08:52, Apr 30 2021
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart does not care if he is labelled a “whinger” and will ask referees boss Jared Maxwell why the Raiders were denied two late tries because of obstruction calls. The Raiders crashed to a 34-20 defeat against South Sydney on Thursday night, and seeing Jack Wighton denied tries in the 75th minute and then again in the 78th minute left Stuart far from impressed. It was not lost on the fans that Henry Perenara was the bunker official who denied Wighton his late double. Perenara was the referee in charge of Canberra’s controversial loss to the New Zealand Warriors last month, which included a forward pass for a try.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten said a contact session on Thursday will prove Taumalolo s fitness.
The same applies for McLean after he failed to finish last week s win over the Raiders due to a hamstring concern.
Every try from Round 7
Raiders v Rabbitohs, Thursday 7.50pm at GIO Stadium
Raiders: No further changes expected after Ricky Stuart recalled Kiwi international Joseph Tapine to the side for a rested Josh Papalii this week. Sebastian Kris replaces Jarrod Croker (shoulder) in the centres with Matt Timoko also listed in the reserves.
The Raiders have won six of their past eight games against the Rabbitohs.
Thursday 29 April, GIO Stadium, 7:50pm
Raiders: Come into the game off a five-day turnaround after a loss to Cowboys on Saturday night. Joseph Tapine and Isosia Soliola are both options to come back into 17 after both were dropped last week. Jarrod Croker s position in the team could come into question with his form down but he also appeared to re-injure the shoulder he had off season surgery on and could be in some doubt. Bailey Simonsson should return from concussion on the right wing which could see Sebastian Kris dropping to the bench.
Rabbitohs: Tevita Tatola is in doubt after he failing game day HIA. With the six-day turnaround he will need to progress through NRL HIA protocols and get doctor clearance to play. Patrick Mago would come into the 17 if Tatola is ruled out with Jai Arrow likely starting. Jaxson Paulo suffered a shoulder injury in first half against the Titans and was able to play on but could be in some doubt. Cody Walker will continue at fullback with Benji Mars