Cowboys vs Rabbitohs
Round 12 2026, Sunday 24 May 2026
Verdict: Cowboys by 2
CowboysRabbitohs
Result: Cowboys 30 defeated Rabbitohs 18 ✓ Tip correct
Match facts
- Kick-off
- Sun 24 May, 4:05pm AEST
- Venue
- Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
- Ladder going in
- Cowboys 7th, Rabbitohs 5th
- Referee
- Grant Atkins
- Crowd
- 18,888
- Weather
- Fine, good ground
How the experts tipped
| Expert | Tip | Tip correct |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Baker | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Chris Barrett | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Zoe Samios | Rabbitohs | ✗ |
| Zac Bailey | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Frances Howe | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Christian Nicolussi | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Billie Eder | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Adrian Proszenko | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Dan Walsh | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Andrew Johns | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Emma Kemp | Cowboys | ✓ |
| Neil Breen | Cowboys | ✓ |
Going in
| Club | Ladder going in | Last five, oldest first | Model rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboys | 7th | LWWLW | -0.3 |
| Rabbitohs | 5th | WWLWL | +1.8 |
Last five games
Cowboys
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 11 | at Roosters | W 18–12 |
| Round 10 | v Eels | L 30–33 |
| Round 9 | at Bulldogs | W 28–12 |
| Round 8 | v Sharks | W 46–34 |
| Round 7 | v Sea Eagles | L 6–38 |
Rabbitohs
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 11 | v Dolphins | L 10–32 |
| Round 10 | v Sharks | W 36–12 |
| Round 9 | at Knights | L 38–42 |
| Round 8 | at Storm | W 48–6 |
| Round 7 | v Dragons | W 30–12 |
Head to head since 2024
| Season | Round | Game | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Round 6 | Rabbitohs v Cowboys | 16–24 | Optus Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 11 | Rabbitohs v Cowboys | 22–28 | Suncorp Stadium |
Team lists
Cowboys
- 1 Scott Drinkwater (c) Fullback
- 2 Robert Derby Winger
- 3 Jaxon Purdue Centre
- 4 Tom Chester Centre
- 5 Zac Laybutt Winger
- 6 Liam Sutton Five-Eighth
- 7 Jake Clifford Halfback
- 8 Thomas Mikaele Prop
- 9 Reed Mahoney Hooker
- 10 Matthew Lodge Prop
- 11 Heilum Luki 2nd Row
- 12 Sam McIntyre 2nd Row
- 13 Jason Taumalolo (c) Lock
- 14 Viliami Vailea Reserve
- 15 Griffin Neame Interchange
- 17 Coen Hess Interchange
- 18 Xavier Kerrisk Interchange
- 19 Ethan King Reserve
- 20 Wiremu Greig Interchange
Coach: Todd Payten
In Jason Taumalolo, Viliami Vailea
Out Braidon Burns, Reuben Cotter, Xavier Kerrisk
Rabbitohs
- 1 Jye Gray Reserve
- 2 Alex Johnston Winger
- 3 Latrell Siegwalt Centre
- 4 Tallis Duncan Centre
- 5 Talanoa Penitani Winger
- 6 Cody Walker (c) Five-Eighth
- 7 Ashton Ward Halfback
- 8 Tevita Tatola Prop
- 9 Peter Mamouzelos Hooker
- 10 Sean Keppie Prop
- 11 Euan Aitken 2nd Row
- 12 Keaon Koloamatangi 2nd Row
- 13 Adam Elliott Lock
- 14 Matthew Dufty Fullback
- 15 Lachlan Hubner Interchange
- 16 Jamie Humphreys Interchange
- 17 Liam Le Blanc Interchange
- 18 Thomas Fletcher Interchange
- 19 Edward Kosi Reserve
Coach: Wayne Bennett
In Alex Johnston, Jamie Humphreys, Latrell Siegwalt, Liam Le Blanc, Peter Mamouzelos, Talanoa Penitani
Out Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Bronson Garlick, Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham, Edward Kosi, Latrell Mitchell
Numbers as named by each club on nrl.com. Changes are measured against the club's previous game.
Why the model leaned this way
Going in, Cowboys rated -0.3 and Rabbitohs +1.8 on our scale, a gap of 2.1 points, plus 4.5 points for playing at their own ground.
Scoring
- Cowboys
- Tries Zac Laybutt 4', Reed Mahoney 25', Tom Chester 34', Liam Sutton 60', Heilum Luki 67'
- Goals 4/5
- Half-time 18
- Rabbitohs
- Tries Talanoa Penitani 14', Talanoa Penitani 55', Alex Johnston 76'
- Goals 2/3, pen Latrell Siegwalt 19'
- Half-time 6
Draw, teams and scoring: nrl.com match centre. Expert tips: The Sydney Morning Herald panel.