Saturday, ANZ Stadium, 7:30pm
Referee: Matt Cecchin

The Eels looked like they were making progress, with two good wins and two narrow losses in high-quality games, but then they struggled to beat a Storm side that had nine stars missing because of State of Origin and the wheels really came unstuck when they lost at home to the Panthers last Sunday. The Eels were very flat in that game and really only came alive when they were absolutely desperate, in the last five minutes. The loss caused them to drop out of the top eight. The Eels have got a heap of ability, but they have let themselves down too often this season.

The Rabbitohs, on the other hand, have won four in a row to get off the bottom of the competition table and really give their fans something to cheer about after they had lost 10 of their first 11 games. The Rabbitohs have made it tough on themselves along the way to getting those four wins, by falling behind - sometimes alarmingly - on each occasion. But the fact they have maintained that will to win shows their enthusiasm at the moment is enormous and they are certainly capable of beating the inconsistent Eels. This is going to come down to which team wants it more.

LATE MAIL
After missing Sunday's loss with a back injury, Eels lock Chad Robinson has pulled through training without a hitch and is ready to play tomorrow night against South Sydney. Rabbitohs coach Jason Taylor has not yet trimmed his bench.
Nathan Ryan

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 Fa'alogo, John Sutton. Interchange: Beau Faloon, Shannan McPherson, Manase Manuokafoa, Michael Greenfield, David Kidwell, Ben Lowe (two to be omitted).

EELS: Luke Burt, Taulima Tautai, Krisnan Inu, Joel Reddy, Jarryd Hayne, Feleti Mateo, Brett Finch, Nathan Cayless (capt), Mark Riddell, Josh Cordoba, Nathan Hindmarsh, Daniel Wagon, Chad Robinson. Interchange: Matthew Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Weller Hauraki, Brendan Oake