The Bulldogs will trot out their sixth starting halves combination of the season when they unleash new recruit Toby Sexton at halfback against Souths, who are missing four Origin stars.
Sexton and Matt Burton will start in the halves against Souths, with Kyle Flanaga, Josh Reynolds, Karl Olaopu and Khaled Rajab the other names who have been recycled through the six and seven jerseys this season.
Last week’s 66-0 loss was the most disappointing chapter of a horror 2023 for the Bulldogs, blown off the park by the Knights, who are no world beaters in their own right.
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As expected, a raft of changes has been made by rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo, most notably the former Titan Sexton, who was only signed on Tuesday and parachuted into the struggling side.
Jake Averillo has moved to fullback with Hayze Perham dropped, Blake Wilson takes Josh Addo-Carr’s (Origin duties) spot on the wing and Braidon Burns returns in place of Paul Alamoti.
Kyle Flanagan has also earned a recall but will start on the bench.
The Rabbitohs will also unveil a different looking side to the one that handily beat the Warriors last week.
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Cody Walker’s excellent form has seen him picked for the Blues, while Keaon Koloamatangi, Cam Murray and Damien Cook are all back in Origin camp after featuring in Game II.
Dean Hawkins and Peter Mamouzelos’ strong NSW Cup form has seen them come into the side for Walker and Cook respectively. Liam Knight and Ben Lovett are the two new faces in the back row.
After missing the Warriors clash, Isaiah Tass slots back into the centres.
In their last clash in round 6, the Rabbitohs thrashed the Bulldogs 50-16.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium, 7.35pm AEST
Rabbitohs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Taane Milne 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Ben Lovett 21. Liam Knight 13. Shaq Mitchell 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Davvy Moale 17. Hame Sele 18. Richard Kennar 19. Josiah Karapani
Bulldogs team: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Braidon Burns 4. Jackson Topine 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Jayden Okunbor 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 17. Harrison Edwards 21. Jeral Skelton 22. Ethan Quai-Ward
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