Rabbitohs vs Cowboys Predictions, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks
Home Team Looks to Rebound in NRL Round 24
Heavyweights Collide
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are best backed to beat the North Queensland Cowboys, who sit second on the NRL ladder.
Rugby odds have the Rabbitohs at -250 to bounce back following a loss to the Panthers. That is likely because the Cowboys are missing the influential half, Tom Dearden.
Saturday’s game could decide which teams finish in the first two with one round left.
Let’s review the latest Rugby news, stats, injury reports, and Rugby odds for Rabbitohs vs Cowboys. We’ve plenty of Rugby picks and predictions for you to consider.
Rabbitohs Seeking Consistency
Fans were disappointed with the Rabbitohs against the Panthers last week. They had enough firepower to beat the defending champions but they played in patches.
A full 80-minute performance is needed to beat the Cowboys, who defeated the Warriors 48-4 last week, so there’s no slacking being afforded.
If the Rabbitohs want to be serious premiership contenders, they need to produce the goods. They’re currently seventh on the ladder, so they could slip to eighth if things don’t go their way.
The sportsbook has the Rabbitohs at -250, so they’re short and expected to win. The current line is 6½, so bettors need to decide if the home team can win by more than a converted try. It’s a tricky situation.
Dearden Loss Hurts
The loss of Dearden to a ruptured testicle hurts more than you could imagine. Not only is it a painful injury for Dearden, but it could cost the Cowboys a chance to beat the Rabbitohs.
He had been playing excellently for the Cowboys, and also for the Queensland Maroons at representative level. We give him credit for seeing out the full 80 minutes with the injury, which is why they say rugby is the toughest sport.
They have a capable replacement with Scott Drinkwater moving from fullback into the five-eighth role, but it could ruin the dynamic of a team that was scorching.
NRL great Darren Lockyer believes moving Drinkwater isn’t the smart move.
“I reckon there’s too much disruption to change Drinkwater from his role now,” Lockyer told Nine.com.au.
“I’m not an NRL coach but I’d be trying to minimize the disruption and put someone like Ben Hampton in at six. If you put Drinkwater at six it changes the way they play, and on the eve of the finals you really don’t want to upset your rhythm.”
NRL betting markets have the Cowboys getting +6½ points, but given their struggles playing in Sydney, it might not be enough of a head start against a high-scoring team.
Rabbitohs vs Cowboys Head-to-Head
The Rabbitohs have a slight 18-17 advantage against the Cowboys, including the last two.
They won 46-18 in Sydney last year and 31-30 on the road in 2020. The Rabbitohs are much better at home and the Cowboys tend to struggle playing on the road, especially in Sydney.
Rabbitohs vs Cowboys Game Information
- Game: Rabbitohs (13-9) vs Cowboys (16-6)
- Location: Accor Stadium, Sydney
- Day/Time: Saturday, Aug. 27, 5:30 a.m. ET
- Rabbitohs vs Cowboys Live Stream: RugbyPass
Rabbitohs vs Cowboys Betting Lines
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Total |
| South Sydney Rabbitohs | -6½ -125 | -250 | 50½-120o |
| North Queensland Cowboys | +6½ -115 | +175 | 50½-120u |
Rabbitohs vs Cowboys Prediction
Most of the early money has come for the Rabbitohs and we’re not surprised.
They played well enough against the Panthers to suggest they could beat the Cowboys, who are without their main attacking threat.
Winning by more than a converted try isn’t easy, but they could jump out to a big lead and hold on for a comfortable win.
