Alex Johnston and the South Sydney Rabbitohs host Clint Gutherson and the St George Illawarra Dragons in a blockbuster clash at Accor Stadium.
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MATCH CENTRE: Rabbitohs vs Dragons teams, scores, videos, updates
Johnston needs three tries to equal Ken Irvine’s record mark of 212 tries.
Coach Wayne Bennett confirmed star forward Keaon Koloamatangi will return from an ankle injury suffered in Round 20.
“He was important to us before he got injured and he’ll be just as important to us now,” Bennett said on Wednesday.
“Pretty good recovery actually after the operation, to get himself back in about six weeks, he’s done a great job. He was keen to get back and thought he was letting the group down and couldn’t wait to return.” Bennett also said that veteran playmaker Cody Walker will play off the bench again.
The Dragons are expected to be 1-17. Coach Shane Flanagan also revealed on Wednesday that young five-eighth Lyhkan King-Togia has required painkilling injections to get through the last few weeks. “We’ve had four or five players that needed painkillers to play and Lyhkan’s been one of those. I’m not one to play players — especially young ones — that need painkillers to play but he’s done it and hasn’t complained,” Flanagan said. “He’s just got on with it, so that shows great courage, determination and the type of attitude that we want. He’s done it under difficult circumstances for a while, I think he’s over that now.”
Keaon Koloamatangi returns in a huge boost for the Rabbitohs, with initial fears his season was over after suffering a syndesmosis injury.
Tallis Duncan has been named in the centres after he shifted into the role in Round 24 to cover for Bayleigh Bentley-Hape who suffered a head knock.
Jai Arrow has shifted to the back row to accommodate the returning Lachlan Hubner, while Wayne Bennett hasn’t made any changes to his halves.
Ashton Ward remains, with Cody Walker on the pine alongside Peter Mamouzelos and Brandon Smith.
After three head knocks to Hamish Stewart, Jack de Belin and Hame Sele, that trio will sit out in Round 25.
Blake Lawrie joins the bench following their omission, while Ben Murdoch-Masila and Jacob Halangahu have been named in the run-on side.
Tyrell Sloan, after being 18th man last week, has been named on the pine.
TEAMS
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Jacob Host 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Brandon Smith 16. Cody Walker 17. Thomas Fletcher 18. Shaquai Mitchell 19. Fletcher Myers
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jacob Halangahu 13. Ben Murdoch-Masila 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Tyrell Sloan 18. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Nathan Lawson
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