South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Parramatta Eels: NRL live scores, blog

Round 16 of the NRL Premiership continues tonight when the South Sydney Rabbitohs take on the Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.35pm AEST.

At this stage of the season, matches between top 8 sides take on extra importance. 6th plays 7th in this one, but they are separated by 4 competition points. If the Eels pick up the win tonight, Souths chances of making the top 4 would appear to be gone.

If teams just miss out on semi finals at the end of the season, they tend to look back at games they perhaps should have won, at least on paper. The 32-12 defeat by the Dragons last round could be one of those games for the Rabbitohs.

Damien Cook has struggled behind an at times pedestrian pack this season, whilst Cody Walker is yet to find his best. Perhaps it is the loss of Adam Reynolds or perhaps the injury to Latrell Mitchell, Whatever it is, South Sydney are only a shadow of last year’s team.

In huge news for the Rabbitohs, Mitchell makes his return from injury with Kodi Nikorima reverting to the bench. Cook, Cameron Murray and Jai Arrow have all been named to back up from Origin. Mark Nicholls will start at prop with Tom Burgess moving to the bench.

The Eels would have been a lot further up the table if not for inexplicable losses to the Tigers and Bulldogs. At their best though, they are very tough to beat, shown recently by their last round 26-16 win over the Roosters.

The Eels have one of the strongest packs in the comp, which creates time for Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown and Clint Gutherson. For Souths to have any chance, they have to match the Eels up front.

Brown, Junior Paulo, Marata Niukore, Waqa Blake and Maika Sivo all got through rep round unscathed, so Brad Arthur has the luxury of naming an unchanged line up.

Prediction

Latrell Mitchell will definitely make a difference to the Rabbitohs but he may be a little underdone after so long on the sidelines.

Souths will know the importance of this game but the Eels, when focussed, are operating on another level this year.

It will be tight, but Parramatta will win.

Eels by 2

Game information

Kick-off: 7:35pm AEST
Venue: Accor Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Nine Network
Odds: Rabbitohs $2.40, Eels $1.58 – odds via PlayUp

South Sydney

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Thomas Burgess 16. Siliva Havili 17. Hame Sele

Parramatta Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson

Interchange: 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Marata Niukore 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Ky Rodwell