Finals Week 1 of the 2026 NRL season kicks off with South Sydney Rabbitohs hosting Newcastle Knights at Allianz Stadium on Friday. Here’s our preview and best markets.
Fitness-wise, South Sydney have perfectly timed their return to NRL finals footy.
In comparison, Newcastle are running out of troops after impressing to navigate a horror injury toll throughout the regular season. Now with what feels like the final nails in the coffin, Jacob Saifiti and Trey Mooney are two enormous losses to the Knights forward rotation this week.
Souths have struggled to work out of their own end at different times this year but a depleted Newcastle middle presents a winnable yardage battle for the Bunnies pack. If the Rabbitohs are allowed to start rolling downfield, we know they’ve got the personnel to turn territory into points.
Expect Cody Walker to make a target of the spaces around Sandon Smith on Newcastle’s right edge. The Knights halfback is prone to poor movements or decisions under pressure and I like Walker to pick him apart once fatigue sets in; playing short to Tallis Duncan or long to the old firm of Latrell Mitchell & Alex Johnston.
Tips
Best: Rabbitohs (-7.5) @ $1.85
Anytime Try Scorers: Tallis Duncan @ $2.65 & Latrell Mitchell @ $1.92
Same Game Multi: Rabbitohs (-7.5) + Tallis Duncan Anytime Try + Latrell Mitchell Anytime Try @ $5.71
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights Odds & Popular Betting Markets
Here’s a quick look at the current odds and popular betting markets for the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights matchup.
*odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change
| Team | Odds | |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Knights (7.5) | 1.96 | Bet Now |
| South Sydney Rabbitohs (-7.5) | 1.85 | Bet Now |
NRL odds correct as of 10/09/2026 and subject to change. Event scheduled to start at 11/09/2026 9:50pm NZST.
NRL odds correct as of 10/09/2026 and subject to change. Event scheduled to start at 11/09/2026 9:50pm NZST.