NRL Match Preview: Full finals focus in top eight clash

NRL Match Preview: Finals focus in top eight clash

Author: Richard Becht & NRL.com & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Sat 22 Aug 2026, 08:31 AM

With the regular season at the sharp end, jostling for finals positions hangs over both sides in today's top eight encounter at Accor Stadium.

The One New Zealand Warriors go into the match third on 36 points (with the Dolphins), two behind Penrith and the Roosters.

And South Sydney is seventh on 30 points with eighth-placed North Queensland behind Cronulla Sutherland and Newcastle (both on 32).

The Rabbitohs made a statement with a comprehensive victory over the Bulldogs last Friday, finding form following the recent return of their big guns, with David Fifita and Cameron Murray making an instant impact in the past couple of weeks.

The Wahs army will be out in force at Accor Stadium as Andrew Webster's men continue their chase for a possible top-two finish, which would secure a home final in the opening week of the post-season.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Saturday 22 Aug

7:30 am

Rabbitohs

Warriors

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney

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Team news

Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell will target a round 26 return against the Titans after his comeback was put on hold this week. The Bunnies are set to line up as named on Tuesday with Euan Aitken promoted to the starting side in place of Adam Elliott (adductor). Thomas Fletcher remained in the squad as the reserve when it was trimmed on Friday.

One New Zealand Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki is back in the starting side at fullback with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad serving a two-game suspension for a hip drop tackle on Reece Walsh. With Luke Metcalf (hamstring) sidelined, Chanel Harris-Tavita moves to halfback and Luke Hanson is the new standoff in his second NRL match after debuting in round three. The new man on the bench is Morgan Gannon while Jett Cleary remained in the 20-man squad on Friday after the 24-hour update.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Saturday 22 Aug

7:30 am

Rabbitohs

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Matthew Dufty

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Tallis Duncan

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack Wighton

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Leka Halasima
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Hanson
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jayden Sullivan

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Forwards

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola

Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon Smith

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon Koloamatangi

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Euan Aitken

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark

Interchange

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jye Gray

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean Keppie

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam Le Blanc

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Peter Mamouzelos

Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Adam Pompey
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Edward Kosi

Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Morgan Gannon

Reserves

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Thomas Fletcher

Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Jett Cleary

Liam Le Blanc
Thomas Fletcher

Jett Cleary
Luke Hanson
Morgan Gannon

Adam Elliott

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Luke Metcalf

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 8/22/2026 12:06:14 AM

Stat attack

The Rabbitohs have won their last eight games at Accor Stadium.
The Warriors have won three of their last four games against the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium.
The Rabbitohs have scored at least 28 points in nine of their last 10 games against the Warriors.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster will take charge of his 100th NRL game as coach.
Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 18 tries in his last 12 games at Accor Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.