Saturday, Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7.30pm
Referee: Tony De Las Heras

How the mighty have fallen. The Cowboys qualified for last year's finals in third place and made it through to the second-last week of the playoffs, before losing to the Sea Eagles. This year, they have sunk to last place, off the back of eight straight losses. Injuries have had plenty to do with their fall, but there has also been a lack of commitment at times from the players that have been out there. The club parted company with coach Graham Murray after the rot had set in, but the team hasn't fared any better under caretaker coach Ian Millward. Now the Cowboys face a massive game against a Rabbitohs side that has staged a revival in recent weeks. The Rabbitohs have beaten the Warriors and Titans at their last two starts to climb off the bottom of the table.

If the Cowboys lose this one, they will be left four points behind the second-last team and staring the wooden spoon in the eye. The Cowboys will be without their star halfback, Johnathan Thurston, who is on State of Origin duty, while the Rabbitohs get Craig Wing back from injury. The versatile Wing hasn't played since the opening round and will be at five-eighth, with rookie Chris Sandow retaining the halfback spot. The Rabbitohs are no certainties, but they are deserved favourites.

LATE MAIL
North Queensland halfback Chris Sheppard (hamstring) is not expected to play against Souths tomorrow, with coach Ian Millward saying it had not "responded as well as we thought". He said lock Steve Southern (shoulder) was more likely to play, while admitting that Toyota Cup standout Sam Bowie was "in the mix".

Ben Lowe and Shannon Hegarty did not travel with the Rabbitohs, leaving coach Jason Taylor with 18 to choose from. Michael Greenfield is 18th man.
Glenn Jackson

COWBOYS: Anthony Watts, Mark Henry, Ashley Graham, Ben Harris, John Williams, Sione Faumuina, Chris Sheppard, Ray Cashmere, Aaron Payne (capt), Carl Webb, Nick Slyney, Scott Bolton, Steve Southern. Interchange: Brandon Boor, Ben Vaeau, Greg Byrnes, Shane Tronc

RABBITOHS: Luke Capewell, Nathan Merritt, Jamie Simpson, Beau Champion, Fetuli Talanoa, Craig Wing, Chris Sandow, Scott Geddes, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (capt), Luke Stuart, David Faalogo, John Sutton Interchange: George Ndaira, Shannan McPherson, David Kidwell, Manase Manuokafoa, Michael Greenfield (three to be omitted).