The One New Zealand Warriors take on South Sydney in their first play-off match since 2018 when the New South Wales Cup finals series starts this weekend.
A top five format is in operation this season which sees minor premiers the North Sydney Bears progressing directly to week two.
With their top three finish, the Warriors have a second life.
In the week one play-offs – both being played at North Sydney Oval on Saturday – the third-placed One New Zealand Warriors take on the second-ranked South Sydney (1.00pm kick-off local time) with the Canberra Raiders (fourth) meeting the Sea Eagles (fifth) in the 3.00pm game.
The winners of the Rabbitohs v Warriors contest will play the Bears in week two while the losers will face the winners of the Raiders v Sea Eagles encounter. The season ends for the team beaten in the fourth v fifth battle.
The One New Zealand Warriors clashed with the Rabbitohs twice in the regular season, losing 22-24 at Redfern Oval on June 3 but avenging the defeat with a 21-18 victory at Go Media Stadium on June 30.
Match: Rabbitohs v Warriors
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jacob GagaiFullback for Warriors is number 2 Setu Tu
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Tom CarrWinger for Warriors is number 5 Moala Graham-Taufa
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Josiah KarapaniCentre for Warriors is number 3 patrick moimoi
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Taane MilneCentre for Warriors is number 4 Brayden Wiliame
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Tyrone MunroWinger for Warriors is number 18 Ali Leiataua
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Dion TeaupaFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Ben Farr
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Dean HawkinsHalfback for Warriors is number 1 Eiden Ackland
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Daniel Suluka-FifitaProp for Warriors is number 8 Zyon Maiu'u
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Peter MamouzelosHooker for Warriors is number 9 Michael Sio
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 17 Yileen GordonProp for Warriors is number 10 James Gavet
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Benjamin Lovett2nd Row for Warriors is number 14 Maia Sands
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jed Cartwright2nd Row for Warriors is number 16 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Jaxson RahmeLock for Warriors is number 13 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 10 Brock GrayInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Isaiah Vagana
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Shannon GardinerInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Presley Seumanu Tigafua
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 21 Matt FrenchInterchange for Warriors is number 21 Jacob David Jnr Auloa
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 22 Ethan O'NeillInterchange for Warriors is number 23 Paterika Vaivai
Reserves
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Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Tristan AlvaradoReplacement for Warriors is number 17 Makaia Tafua
Last updated:
The Slade Griffin-coached side rounded out the regular season with a convincing 42-12 win over St George Illawarra last Saturday to finish three points behind North Sydney with a record of 14 wins, a draw and nine losses.
They scored a total of 630 points, a tally bettered by only the Bears (637) and the sixth-placed Newtown Jets (644) while they had the best defensive record in the competition conceding 470 points.
Away from home they had a 7-4 win-loss record (plus a draw) a 7-5 record at home.
