Squad adjustments for upcoming match
The One New Zealand Warriors have made adjustments to their 20-man game day squad for the upcoming NRL round 25 clash against South Sydney. Halfback Jett Cleary remains in the squad, while winger Luke Laulilii and hooker Makaia Tafua have been omitted. The match is scheduled to take place at Accor Stadium in Sydney, with a 5:30 pm local time kick-off, which translates to 7:30 pm NZT.
This fixture will see Chanel Harris-Tavita, who recently secured another contract extension, start at halfback. This marks his first start in the position since 2021. He will be partnered by Luke Hanson at standoff. Harris-Tavita will wear the #7 jersey, taking over the halfback role after Luke Metcalf sustained a hamstring injury 20 minutes into last Saturday night’s match against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Metcalf’s injury has sidelined him until the finals, ruling him out of the remaining three regular season games against the Rabbitohs, Knights, and Sea Eagles. Harris-Tavita becomes the fourth starting halfback for the Warriors this year, following Tanah Boyd (10 games), Te Maire Martin (9), and Metcalf (2), all of whom are currently on the injured list.
Hanson steps into the halves
With Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad suspended for two matches due to a dangerous contact charge, 22-year-old Luke Hanson will line up in the halves. This will be Hanson’s second NRL appearance, having made his debut as Warrior #295 in the 38-12 round three win over the Knights on March 21.
Beyond his single previous first-grade outing, Hanson has made 15 appearances for the club’s New South Wales Cup side this season. He reached his 50-game milestone with a try in last Saturday’s 18-12 win over the Sea Eagles. Hanson has demonstrated strong defensive capabilities, maintaining a tackling efficiency rate of 96.35 per cent and averaging 80 running metres per game this season.
With Nicoll-Klokstad unavailable, Taine Tuaupiki returns as the starting fullback. The rest of the lineup remains unchanged from the team that played against the Broncos, including loose forward Erin Clark and hooker Wayde Egan, both of whom have played every game this year.
Team lists and match details
The Warriors‘ lineup for the match against the Rabbitohs includes Taine Tuaupiki at fullback, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Alofiana Khan-Pereira on the wings, and Ali Leiataua and Leka Halasima in the centres. The halves will feature Luke Hanson and Chanel Harris-Tavita. In the forwards, James Fisher-Harris and Mitchell Barnett are the props, Wayde Egan is at hooker, and Kurt Capewell, Jacob Laban, and Erin Clark complete the back row.
The interchange bench consists of Sam Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Adam Pompey, and Morgan Gannon. Jett Cleary is listed as a reserve. The Rabbitohs have also made changes, with Liam Le Blanc joining their bench and Euan Aitken, a former Warrior, starting in place of Adam Elliott, who is out with a groin injury. Latrell Mitchell has been included in the Rabbitohs‘ reserves.
The Warriors enter round 25 level on 36 points with second-placed Penrith, trailing only marginally on points differential. They will face a South Sydney side currently sitting seventh on the ladder, following their 22-6 victory over the Bulldogs last week. The Rabbitohs have also welcomed back David Fifita and Cam Murray from injury, with Latrell Mitchell’s return anticipated.
Historical context and recent form
In 40 previous meetings since 1998, the Rabbitohs hold a slight advantage over the Warriors with 21 wins to 19. Their last encounter in June 2025 saw the Warriors secure a 36-30 victory. The Warriors‘ largest win against the Rabbitohs was a 66-0 shutout in 2006, while the Rabbitohs responded with a 60-22 win 15 years later.
Both teams are currently in strong form. The Warriors have won their last three matches, including a 40-6 victory over the Broncos. The Rabbitohs are on a two-match winning streak, having beaten the Bulldogs 22-6. The Rabbitohs have also won their past eight matches at Accor Stadium.
Source: warriors.kiwi
