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South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors NRL Round 25 Tips & Prediction - Souths can push Wahs at Accor

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 20 Aug 2026 01:14

Andrew Hendrie 2 hours ago

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South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors predictions for Saturday's NRL R25 game
Rabbitohs back to some good form, tipped to cover with a +5.5 start
Souths wingers Johnston & Graham have great tryscoring records at Accor
The game is scheduled for kick off at 5.30pm AEST on Saturday August 22

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors NRL Round 25 Tips & Prediction

The Rabbitohs are tipped to cover with a +5.5 start and score 20+ points against the Warriors on Saturday night, with wingers Alex Johnston and Campbell Graham continuing their red-hot tryscoring form at Accor Stadium.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors NRL Round 25 Tips & Prediction
Rabbitohs vs Warriors Stats & Trends
Rabbitohs vs Warriors Head To Head
South Sydney Rabbitohs Form Analysis
New Zealand Warriors Form Analysis
Rabbitohs vs Warriors Team News

Souths have the opportunity to further entrench themselves in the top eight when they host the Warriors in the second game on Super Saturday. The Bunnies have returned to some good form, with star players including Cam Murray and David Fifita back on deck, while Latrell Mitchell has been included in the reserves as he nears a return to action following some nerve issues.

At their best, the Rabbitohs can pile on the points against almost any side in the competition, but it was their defence that shone brightest in last week's 22-6 victory over the Bulldogs, with multiple try-saving tackles over the line a highlight early in the first half. If Souths can get their defence right, then they are capable of giving the competition a bit of a shake in September.

The Warriors meanwhile continue to blitz everything in their path, backing up their outstanding win over the Panthers by dismantling a hapless Broncos side 40-6 last week. However, the win came at a cost, with Luke Metcalf suffering a hamstring injury, continuing a wretched run of luck for the Wahs when it comes to halves this season.

Andrew Webster's side have proven all year they have the depth and quality to navigate these injuries, but it's certainly not ideal heading into the finals.

I think this is a 50-50 contest, so taking the Rabbitohs with a +5.5 start appeals, along with Souths eclipsing their team total of 19.5, which they've done consistently in this matchup. AJ and Stretch are in good tryscoring form and look good for more four-pointers here.

Rabbitohs vs Warriors Stats & Trends

Rabbitohs have won their last eight games at Accor
Rabbitohs have scored 28+ points in nine of their last 10 games vs Warriors
Rabbitohs have scored 20+ points in seven of their last nine games
Alex Johnston has scored 18 tries in his last 12 games at Accor - including 1+ in his last 11. Johnson also has 26 tries in 18 games this season
Campbell Graham has scored five tries in his last five games, along with 1+ in his last four appearances at Accor

Rabbitohs vs Warriors Head To Head

Rabbitohs have won eight of the last 10 meetings, but it's been the Warriors who have prevailed in the last two.

Year	Winner	Score	Venue
2025	New Zealand Warriors	36-30	Accor Stadium
2024	New Zealand Warriors	34-4	Accor Stadium
2023	South Sydney Rabbitohs	28-6	Go Media Stadium
2022	South Sydney Rabbitohs	48-10	Sunshine Coast Stadium
2022	South Sydney Rabbitohs	32-30	Suncorp Stadium

South Sydney Rabbitohs Form Analysis

It's been a bit of a rollercoaster season for Souths, but they have their finals destiny in their own hands and really should be making the eight from here.

After surviving a second-half comeback from the Eels to prevail 28-24, the Rabbitohs backed it up with a strong 80-minute performance against the Bulldogs last week, coming away with a dominant 22-6 victory.

Souths produced some excellent goal-line defence early to hold up the Dogs twice over the line before taking their chances in attack, with their potent left-edge again running riot as David Fifita and Johnston crossed for tries.

Wayne Bennett's side increased their lead over the ninth-placed Bulldogs to four points with three rounds remaining and could go a long way towards securing finals footy with an upset win here.

New Zealand Warriors Form Analysis

Surely Andrew Webster is a lock for coach of the year?

What he's done with this Warriors side has been remarkable and they head into Round 25 in second spot on the ladder as they look to claim a top two spot and a home game in the opening week of the finals.

The Warriors have won 15 of their 21 games for the season, despite various injury troubles - mostly to their halves.

After bashing Penrith from pillar to post the previous week, there was no hangover for the Warriors as they demolished the Broncos 40-6 last week, with Chanel Harris-Tavita stepping up as Luke Metcalf went off with a freak hamstring injury during a conversion attempt.

Rabbitohs vs Warriors Team News

Latrell Mitchell has been named in the reserves as he tries to make a comeback before the finals.

Adam Elliott is out with a groin injury, with Liam Le Blanc joining the bench and Euan Aitken promoted to the starting side.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is suspended for the next two games, so Taine Tuaupiki starts at fullback, while Luke Hanson comes into the halves for Metcalf, with Harris-Tavita moving into the No. 7 jersey. Morgan Gannon joins the bench.

Rabbitohs	Position	Warriors
Matthew Dufty	Fullback	Taine Tuaupiki
Alex Johnston	Winger	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Tallis Duncan	Centre	Ali Leiataua
Jack Wighton	Centre	Leka Halasima
Campbell Graham	Winger	Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Cody Walker	Five-Eighth	Luke Hanson
Jayden Sullivan	Halfback	Chanel Harris-Tavita
Tevita Tatola	Prop	James Fisher-Harris
Brandon Smith	Hooker	Wayde Egan
Keaon Koloamatangi	Prop	Mitchell Barnett
David Fifita	Second Row	Kurt Capewell
Euan Aitken	Second Row	Jacob Laban
Cameron Murray	Lock	Erin Clark
Jye Gray	Interchange	Sam Healey
Lachlan Hubner	Interchange	Tanner Stowers-Smith
Sean Keppie	Interchange	Demitric Vaimauga
Liam Le Blanc	Interchange	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Peter Mamouzelos	Interchange	Adam Pompey
Edward Kosi	Interchange	Morgan Gannon
Jonah Glover	Reserve	Jett Cleary
Thomas Fletcher	Reserve	Luke Laulilii
Latrell Mitchell	Reserve	Makaia Tafua