Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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The undefeated Canterbury Bulldogs continue their quest for a return to NRL dominance against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Start date/time: Friday 18th April, 2025: UK – 7:05am / Local – 4:05pm / US ET – 2:05am / Thursday 17th April, US PT – 11:05am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Canterbury Bulldogs team news
Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo is getting closer to a full-strength team at his disposal: Matt Burton (knee) has been named to return in his familiar role at five-eighth. Viliame Kikau (knee) has been named on the extended bench and will be given till match day to prove his fitness. Bailey Hayward drops back to the bench and Blake Taaffe drops out of the 17 due to the return of Sitili Tupouniua from suspension.
Squad: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Jack Todd 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Viliame Kikau
South Sydney Rabbitohs team news
In surprising news, Head Coach Wayne Bennett has named Cody Walker to return from a hamstring injury in the No.7 jersey alongside Latrell Mitchell in the halves. Off-season English recruit Lewis Dodd potentially gets his NRL debut, being named in the utility role off the bench. Campbell Graham returns from a calf injury, with Euan Aitken remaining in the centres. Sean Keppie has been named but awaits a judiciary appeal against his suspension. Jayden Sullivan (suspension – one match) goes out while Josh Schuster may have to wait longer for a return to the NRL however he is a welcome addition to the overall squad.
Squad: 1. Jye Gray 2. Campbell Graham 3. Euan Aitken 4. Jack Wighton 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Latrell Mitchell 7. Cody Walker 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Lewis Dodd 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Davvy Moale 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Salesi Ataata 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Declan Casey 22. Joshua Schuster
Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs prediction
The Canterbury Bulldogs continue to put the rest of the competition on notice with their start to 2025. This week they set their sights on the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Bulldogs are fresh off the bye and will be well rested after holding the Knights scoreless the previous week. In fact, the defence is ranked number one in the competition conceding just 58 points from their five matches so far.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have been plagued by inconsistency through the first six rounds. In Perth last week they were outmuscled by the North Queensland Cowboys only seven days after a strong performance against the Roosters. They face a tough task in the next 7 days with Bulldogs match to be followed by second on the ladder Melbourne Storm in Melbourne.
South Sydney will be stronger defensively with the inclusion of Campbell Graham and despite being named on the wing he may well defend at centre where he has played for NSW in the past. The South Sydney defence will need all the help they can get out wide; the Bulldogs have targeted the edge in attack with their back row featuring in many of their try scoring raids.
The Rabbitohs have won seven of the past nine matches between the two sides dating back to 2020. In fact, the two sides will clash again in Round 15 during the State of Origin period which may well feature significantly different line-ups.
We think the Bulldogs remain undefeated after this round with a comfortable victory against the Rabbitohs.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs tip: Canterbury Bulldogs to win & Sitili Tupouniua to score a try
