NRL Round 5 preview: Rabbitohs v Roosters betting tips & odds

Rabbitohs v Roosters NRL R5 best bets

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters match preview

Rugby league’s oldest and fiercest rivalry reignites on Friday night as the South Sydney Rabbitohs host the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium in Round 5.

It’s the 234th meeting between these bitter foundation clubs, and with both sides desperate to prove a point early in the NRL season.

South Sydney have impressed through the opening month with a 3-1 record, and their Round 4 win over the defending premiers was a statement.

Despite missing key players, Wayne Bennett’s side have found cohesion and resilience — traits not always associated with the Bunnies in recent years.

The Roosters, meanwhile, are off to a shaky 1-3 start and under plenty of scrutiny.

Trent Robinson’s men have been leaking over 30 points per game and failing to build any momentum, and they’ll need a significant lift across the park to match Souths’ intensity.

Historically, the Roosters have had the wood over the Rabbitohs in recent meetings, winning the last four clashes and scoring freely in the process.

However, the Bunnies are building nicely, with the top bookmakers pricing them as the $1.65 favourite.

Rabbitohs vs Roosters Round 5 team news

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray
2. Isaiah Tass
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Jack Wighton
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Cody Walker
7. Jamie Humphreys
8. Sean Keppie
9. Peter Mamouzelos
10. Tevita Tatola
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jai Arrow
13. Lachlan Hubner
14. Jayden Sullivan
15. Siliva Havili
16. Tallis Duncan
17. Davvy Moale

Latrell Mitchell returns from a hamstring injury and slots into the centres for his first game of the 2025 NRL season, pushing Isaiah Tass onto the wing. Lachlan Hubner is back from suspension at lock, which moves Tallis Duncan to the bench and Liam Le Blanc out of the 17.

Sydney Roosters

1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Mark Nawaqanitawase
4. Robert Toia
5. Dominic Young
6. Sandon Smith
7. Chad Townsend
8. Lindsay Collins
9. Connor Watson
10. Naufahu Whyte
11. Angus Crichton
12. Siua Wong
13. Nat Butcher
14. Zach Dockar-Clay
15. Salesi Foketi
16. Blake Steep
17. Spencer Leniu

Connor Watson’s return at hooker is a big boost for the Roosters, while Salesi Foketi is back from suspension and joins the bench. Lindsay Collins starts up front with Spencer Leniu shifted to the interchange, and Nat Butcher replaces Victor Radley (cheekbone) at lock.

Rabbitohs v Roosters NRL Rd 5 betting predictions

South Sydney are flying and should be too tough in the middle for a Roosters side that continues to leak points. They’ve covered four straight lines to open the season and look well drilled in both defence and transition. The Roosters have struggled to defend in the middle, which makes the Rabbitohs good value to cover the line at $1.87 odds with BetOnline.

Latrell Mitchell loves a headline moment and has scored in five of his last six appearances against the Roosters. Whether he roams from the centres or injects himself through the middle, you can bet he’ll be hunting the try line. At $2.05 with BetOnline, he’s one of the strongest anytime tryscorer options of the round.

While both teams boast attacking weapons, the underlying form suggests this could shape up as a grind. Each of South Sydney’s past four games have gone under the total, while the Roosters have lacked cohesion in attack and are still adjusting their spine. With both coaches emphasising physicality and ball control, under 50 points at $1.90 via BetOnline is the safest play in the totals market.

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