Hello and welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s clash between the Rabbitohs and Roosters.
Yes it’s one of rugby league’s great rivalries but tonight is really all about a couple of South Sydney players: Jai Arrow, who will take the field before kick-off to officially bring up his 100th game for the club (and 180th in the NRL); and Latrell Mitchell, who is finally back in the starting side for the first time since round 11.
Arrow is battling motor neurone disease and has officially retired from rugby league, but was given the OK by the NRL to be named in the starting side for the Rabbitohs last week and this week in order to take his official career games tally for the club to 100.
Mitchell returned last week for a 30-minute cameo off the bench after a lengthy stint on the sidelines with back and calf injuries, and can get a full game under his belt tonight ahead of next week’s finals series.
The Roosters, reeling from a season-ending injury to star half Sam Walker, have rested nine players for tonight’s game in a bid to avoid any other injury shocks for the finals. They’ll be away from home in the opening week of the playoffs regardless, having secured a top-four finish already.
Kick-off is at 8pm.