NRL Round 24 Preview - Raiders v Rabbitohs @ GIO Stadium

Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs @ GIO Stadium
 
Preview - The Raiders will be looking for back-to-back big scalps as they host the Rabbitohs in Canberra on Saturday afternoon. The Raiders held on for perhaps their best win of the season with a 14-12 victory, in a bruising affair with the Roosters, to register just their 9th win of the season. The Rabbitohs were ambushed in Brisbane going down 38-18 after trailing 18-0 before rallying to 18-18 before the home side streaked away in the last 20 minutes. The Rabbitohs are now 3rd behind both the Roosters and the Storm on differential. 
 
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - The Raiders have lost Joseph Tapine for the season with a broken thumb. Elliott Whitehead takes his place in the back row with Michael Oldfield back into the starting side in the centres. Halfback Aiden Sezer could be a late inclusion after being named in the reserves. 
 
South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Scouting Report - The Rabbitohs welcome huge injections of class to their line up with Greg Inglis , Alex Johnston and Campbell Graham all named to make their comebacks in their backline. Dane Gagai shifts to centre, and Braidon Burns drops back to the bench. 
 
Verdict - Souths by 6-14 in a high scoring game

Think Souths can bounce back here, provided they get a couple of backline players back. The Raiders were great last week, however I can’t trust them to produce back-to-back great performances as I think that sort of win might have taken a bit out of them. Souths are coming off a 9-day turnaround, whilst the Raiders are off a 6-day turnaround and, with the Rabbits coming off a loss, I think they can bounce back here and get the job done.