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South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders NRL Round 6 Tips & Prediction - Bunnies to emerge victorious in Perth

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Thu 09 Apr 2026 07:31

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are predicted to deliver an impressive performance against the struggling Canberra Raiders in NRL Round 6, as the teams face off at Optus Stadium. With Rabbitohs enjoying a strong start to the season, sports analysts suggest they are well-positioned to secure a 4-1 season record, capitalizing on the Raiders' recent defensive lapses. This game features star players like Alex Johnston and Tallis Duncan aiming to make significant impacts. Souths are backed to cover a -5.5 line while aiming for a solid scoreline over 27.5 points.

Andrew Hendrie 09 Apr 2026
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  • South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders predictions for Saturday's NRL R6 game
  • Raiders in dire form with four straight defeats, leaking 32+ points in three
  • Souths poised to continue good start - look for AJ & Duncan to be threats
  • The game is scheduled for kick off at 3.00pm AEDT on Saturday April 11
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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canberra Raiders
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders NRL Round 6 Tips & Prediction


South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders NRL Round 6 Tips & Prediction


The Rabbitohs are backed to make it a 4-1 start to the season when they face the slumping Raiders at Optus Stadium in the first of a double header of NRL Round 6 matches on Saturday afternoon.

I will die on the hill of Canberra being the most fortuitous minor premiers in the NRL era last year and it looks like their luck is evening out to begin the 2026 campaign. The Raiders prevailed amidst a flurry of 1-12 and 1-6 matches last season (against both the elite and bottom sides) and winning those sorts of close contests simply isn't sustainable long-term.

The Raiders come into this contest on a four-game losing streak and last week they couldn't even keep it close in a 32-12 thumping on the road to Newcastle.

By contrast, the Rabbitohs have exploded out of the blocks to launch the season with three wins from their opening four matches - including last week's 32-24 Good Friday triumph over the Bulldogs.

If Souths can drop 34 points on a rock-solid Dogs defence, then their attack is primed to light up this current version of Canberra. I'm taking the Bunnies to cover a -5.5 line and to score Over 27.5 team points. The Raiders have leaked lots of tries to opposition wingers and second-rowers on both edges in their opening five games - look for Alex Johnston to cross for a double and Tallis Duncan to burst over close to the line.
  • Rabbitohs have won three of their four games this season
  • Rabbitohs have covered a -5.5 line in three of their last four NRL wins
  • Raiders have lost their last four games
  • Raiders have failed to cover a +5.5 line in three of those four defeats, losing two by 20+
  • Rabbitohs have scored 32+ points in two of their three wins this season
  • Raiders have conceded 28+ points in four of their five games this season
  • Raiders have leaked 2+ tries to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak & Dom Young this season
  • Alex Johnston has scored five tries in his last four games
  • Raiders have leaked six tries to opposition second-rowers in five games this season
  • Tallis Duncan scored a try vs Bulldogs last week

Rabbitohs vs Raiders Head To Head

The Raiders have a good recent record against Souths, winning six of the last seven meetings.

YearWinnerScoreVenue
2025Canberra36–12GIO
2024Canberra32–12GIO
2023Canberra33–26Accor
2022Canberra32–12Apex Oval
2021South Sydney34–20GIO

South Sydney Rabbitohs Form Analysis

Injuries derailed the Rabbitohs' season last year, but they've made a bright start to the 2026 campaign.

Wayne Bennett's side are flying high in the top four after winning three of their opening four games.

Souths outscored the Dolphins 40-30 in their opener, but couldn't celebrate Alex Johnston's tryscoring record with a win, going down in a tight one to the Roosters.

The Bunnies have since bounced back with consecutive victories over the Tigers (20-16) and Bulldogs (32-24).

The potent left edge of Latrell Mitchell and Johnston is firing on all cylinders, with the pair combining for 10 of the Rabbitohs' 19 tries this season.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team News

Big boost for the Bunnies here, with Brandon Smith recovering from an injury sustained in preseason as he's named for his first game of the year.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List

1. Jye Gray 
2. Alex Johnston 
3. Latrell Mitchell 
4. Jack Wighton 
5. Campbell Graham 
6. Cody Walker 
7. Jamie Humphreys 
8. Tevita Tatola 
9. Brandon Smith 
10. Keaon Koloamatangi 
11. David Fifita 
12. Tallis Duncan 
13. Cameron Murray

Interchange 
14. Peter Mamouzelos 
15. Lachlan Hubner 
16. Sean Keppie 
17. Liam Le Blanc 

Reserves
18. Bronson Garlick 
19. Jayden Sullivan 
20. Edward Kosi 
21. Thomas Fletcher 
22. Latrell Siegwalt

Canberra Raiders Form Analysis

It's been slim pickings for Canberra since they won the minor premiership - they were booted from the finals in straight sets and they've lost four of their five games to start this season.

The Green Machine's only victory of 2026 was in golden point, when they edged out a then-terrible Manly side 29-28.

Ricky Stuart's men have since lost four games on the bounce against the Warriors, Bulldogs, Sharks and Knights.

Defence and discipline have been issues for Canberra - they've conceded 32+ points in three of those defeats, while one of their leaders - Hudson Young - was sent to the sin bin for pulling the hair of Dom Young last week as the Knights piled on the points in a big win.

Canberra are lacking direction in the halves - Ethan Sanders has cooled down big time after his impressive season opener, while Ethan Strange isn't anywhere near the sort of form he produced last year.

Canberra Raiders Team News

Jed Stuart comes onto the wing in place of the injured Xavier Savage, who went off with a leg problem last week.

Canberra Raiders Team List

1. Kaeo Weekes 
2. Savelio Tamale 
3. Simi Sasagi 
4. Sebastian Kris 
5. Jed Stuart 
6. Ethan Strange 
7. Ethan Sanders 
8. Josh Papali’i 
9. Tom Starling 
10. Joseph Tapine 
11. Hudson Young 
12. Noah Martin 
13. Corey Horsburgh 

Interchange
14. Jayden Brailey 
15. Zac Hosking 
16. Ata Mariota 
17. Morgan Smithies

Reserves 
18. Daine Laurie 
19. Joseph Roddy 
20. Owen Pattie 
21. Matthew Timoko 
22. Chevy Stewart

Verdict

Souths are tipped to condemn Canberra to a fifth straight defeat, piling on the points as AJ and Duncan get amongst the meat pies.

Best Bet1: Rabbitohs -5.5 Line $1.90 at dabble - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Rabbitohs Over 27.5 Total Team Points $1.90 at Ladbrokes Australia - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Alex Johnson 2+ Tries $3.30 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Tallis Duncan Anytime Tryscorer $4.00 at Teambet - 1 Unit
Rabbitohs -5.5
Line
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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canberra Raiders