Rabbitohs v Dolphins Round 1 preview & free tips | Friday, 7/3/25

Rabbitohs vs Dolphins NRL R1 best bets

NRL Round 1: South Sydney Rabbitohs v Dolphins preview

The Dolphins and Rabbitohs open their 2025 NRL season under Friday night lights, with both teams looking to bounce back from disappointing 2024 campaigns. The Dolphins narrowly missed finals last year, while the Rabbitohs endured a shocking 16th-place finish after a horror run of injuries and poor form.

After the change in venue to CommBank Stadium in Sydney, the Dolphins have lost several players — including Mark Nicholls, Kodi Nikorima, and Kenneath Bromwich — due to personal reasons surrounding Tropical Cyclone Alfred. That has flipped NRL betting markets on their head, with the Rabbitohs now favourites at $1.77.

Master coach Wayne Bennett returns to South Sydney, where he hopes to reignite the club’s attacking spark. However, injuries to Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray will test the team’s depth early in the season.

The Dolphins, under new coach Kristian Woolf, still possess a dangerous backline led by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth, but their forwards will need to stand up against a Rabbitohs pack featuring Keaon Koloamatangi, Jai Arrow, and Tevita Tatola.

With both teams featuring reshuffled lineups, expect a fast-paced contest with plenty of attacking opportunities. If South Sydney can control possession and territory, their experience in key positions should give them the edge.

Rabbitohs v Dolphins Rd 1 team news

South Sydney Rabbitohs

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

The Rabbitohs will be without Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray, with Jye Gray stepping in at fullback and Lachlan Hubner named at lock. Jamie Humphreys gets the nod at halfback, forming a new halves pairing with Cody Walker.

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Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jake Averillo
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Junior Tupou
6. Sean O’Sullivan
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Felise Kaufusi
11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
12. Max Plath
13. Tom Gilbert
14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Connelly Lemuelu
16. Ray Stone
17. Johs Kerr

The Dolphins have been hit hard by late withdrawals, forcing Felise Kaufusi to move into the front row, while Junior Tupou earns a starting spot on the wing. Tom Gilbert makes his return from injury, captaining the side in his first game since 2023.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Dolphins betting predictions

With South Sydney’s more settled lineup and playmaking advantage, they should be able to control the game and cover the -1.5 line at -111.11 with the top online bookmakers. Cody Walker’s game management and kicking game should help Souths dominate field position against a Dolphins side lacking cohesion.

Isaiah Tass has a strong tryscoring record on the Rabbitohs’ left edge, and with Jack Wighton drawing attention in the centres, he presents great value to score anytime at +130 with Marantelli Bet. If you’re after a higher-returning bet, Tass is paying +1000 to score the first try, making him an attractive pick given Souths’ ability to strike early.

Given both teams’ defensive weaknesses — Souths conceded 28.4 points per game last season, while the Dolphins’ defence struggled against fast, structured attacks — over 42.5 total points at -111.11 with Marantelli Bet looks like a strong play. With speed across both backlines and uncertainty in defensive structures, expect plenty of points.

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