NRL Round 6 preview: Rabbitohs vs Cowboys betting tips

Best bets for Rabbitohs vs Cowboys

NRL Round 6: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North Qld Cowboys preview

South Sydney look to continue their fairytale 2025 NRL bounce-back under Wayne Bennett when they host the North Queensland Cowboys in the second leg of Saturday’s Perth double-header.

The Rabbitohs defied a massive injury toll to beat the Roosters last week and now sit 4-1 on the ladder, but they’ve lost several players to hamstring injuries.

That has forced Bennett to shuffle things around a bit, although he does regain some reliable performers in the back half.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, are riding high off consecutive wins against the Raiders and Panthers — their best footy of 2025 by far.

Their forward pack is finally starting to find rhythm, and Todd Payten’s men are out to make it three straight against Souths, with the top online bookmakers pricing them as $1.75 favourites.

North Queensland have won the past two meetings between these sides and will fancy their chances with a more settled lineup and a rising sense of confidence.

Despite their injury woes, the Rabbitohs are proving they can grind out close wins, having won four matches by six points or less.

They have a shocking recent record in Perth — losing their last four — but the Bennett factor is hard to ignore. With both teams trending up and a 21-19 all-time series record, this shapes as a belter in the west.

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Rabbitohs vs Cowboys NRL Round 6 team news

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray
2. Alex Johnston
3. Euan Aitken
4. Jack Wighton
5. Isaiah Tass
6. Latrell Mitchell
7. Jayden Sullivan
8. Sean Keppie
9. Peter Mamouzelos
10. Tevita Tatola
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jai Arrow
13. Lachlan Hubner
14. Liam Le Blanc
15. Siliva Havili
16. Tallis Duncan
17. Davvy Moale
18. Thomas Fletcher
19. Salesi Ataata
20. Fletcher Myers
21. Haizyn Mellars
22. Nazareth Taua

Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys and Mikaele Ravalawa are all out with hamstring injuries. Latrell Mitchell shifts to five-eighth, with Jayden Sullivan at halfback. Veteran winger Alex Johnston returns from a rib injury, while Euan Aitken makes his club debut at centre. Liam Le Blanc joins the bench in a reshuffled 17.

North Queensland Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Robert Derby
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Viliami Vailea
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Jake Clifford
8. Jordan McLean
9. Reece Robson
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. John Bateman
12. Kai O’Donnell
13. Reuben Cotter
14. Sam McIntyre
15. Jeremiah Nanai
16. Griffin Neame
17. Coen Hess
18. Harrison Edwards
19. Zac Laybutt
20. Thomas Duffy
21. Karl Lawton
22. Thomas Mikaele

Reuben Cotter is back at lock after missing last week with illness, with Sam McIntyre moving to the bench. The rest of the squad remains unchanged after toppling Penrith. Tom Dearden and Scott Drinkwater continue to steer the ship in attack.

Rabbitohs vs Cowboys NRL Rd 6 betting predictions

Coach Bennett has this team humming despite being down to bare bones, and their fight last week showed they’re buying into the culture. They’ve got a strong record in close games this season, and the Cowboys have leaked plenty of points when under pressure. Despite a few outs, Souths have the firepower to edge this as $2.10 outsiders with BetOnline.

Latrell Mitchell stepped up when it mattered last week and now gets even more ball as a playmaker. Perth’s fast track should suit his power running game, and he has a knack for lifting in big moments. Expect him to be a handful for the Cowboys’ right-edge defence all night, with the $2.35 anytime tryscorer odds at BetOnline looking overs.

The Cowboys are averaging over 28 points against per game, while Souths are leaking bodies but still scoring freely. Mitchell, Johnston, Drinkwater and Dearden are all capable of creating or finishing chances in broken play. It might get scrappy, but there’s too much attacking talent for this not to open up. Take the game to be over 49 points for a $1.90 return with BetOnline.

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