The Rabbitohs' 2026 Season: A Squad to Watch
It's easy to overlook the Rabbitohs' potential, given their 14th-place finish last season. But with a core group of stars and a master coach, they're poised for a strong 2026 run. Despite limited big-name signings, their roster is among the NRL's best, provided their key players stay healthy.
Captain Cameron Murray, hooker Brandon Smith, prop Tevita Tatola, and backs Cody Walker, Campbell Graham, and Latrell Mitchell combined for just 48 matches last season. Yet, they're all representative players, hungry for success under the guidance of legendary coach Wayne Bennett.
Bennett, the game's longest-serving and most successful mentor, has faced challenging seasons, including 2025, marked by:
- Murray and Mitchell's simultaneous injuries during pre-season training.
- Walker's calf issues, ending his season in July.
- Graham's struggles with a broken hand, calf trouble, and a bulging disc after missing 2024.
- Tatola's shoulder injury, and
- Smith's ACL recovery post-season swap.
However, the season's silver lining was the emergence of young stars Jye Gray, Jamie Humphreys, Tallis Duncan, Lachlan Hubner, Peter Mamouzolos, Tyrone Munro, and Ashton Ward.
These rookies showcased their talent at the NRL level, and Gray's 2025 performance is expected to shift Mitchell from fullback to center, creating a potent left edge with Mitchell, Walker, David Fifita, and Alex Johnston.
Johnston, just three tries away from the premiership record, is a key player. The signings of Fifita and Adam Elliott add depth to the forward pack, led by Murray, Tatola, Keaon Koloamatangi, and Jai Arrow.
Smith, a damaging hooker, can also play in the backrow, offering Bennett strategic options. The team's depth is a standout feature, as demonstrated by the following possible second-string lineup:
- Matt Dufty
- Tyrone Munro
- Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
- Moala Graham-Taufa
- Ed Kosi
- Jayden Sullivan
- Jonah Glover
- Sean Keppie
- Bronson Garlick
- Franklin Pele
- Lachlan Hubner
- Thomas Fletcher
- Liam Le Blanc
- Ashton Ward
- Max McCarthy
- Dan Keir
- Tim Johannssen
With injuries a constant concern, Bennett has players ready to step up. The Rabbitohs' pre-season schedule includes a Charity Shield match against the Dragons on February 14 and a Witzer Pre-season Challenge against Manly in Mudgee on February 22.
Their premiership opener is against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on March 8. The team's best 17, including Gray, Johnston, Mitchell, Wighton, Graham, Walker, Humphreys, Tatola, Smith, Koloamatangi, Aitken, Arrow, Murray, Mamouzelos, Fifita, Duncan, and Elliott, will be a force to be reckoned with.
The question remains: Which future stars will shine during the Pre-Season Challenge? Tune in from February 7th for all the action on Kayo and Fox Sports.
