Cowboys vs Rabbitohs Prediction: Bunnies look vulnerable on road trip

| Saturday 23rd May 2026, 15:00

Saturday 23rd May 2026, 15:00

Two teams fighting for a top-eight spot in the NRL this season meet at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Sunday as the North Queensland Cowboys face the South Sydney Rabbitohs (7:05am KO, Sky Sports Action).

The Cowboys went into Round 12 of the campaign in eighth and they are level on points with their visitors. South Sydney were fifth ahead of this weekend's fixtures and will be looking to return to winning ways after a 32-10 defeat to the Dolphins last weekend. Read on for my Cowboys vs Rabbitohs predictions.

Cowboys vs Rabbitohs Betting Tips

Cowboys -4 @ 11/10
Rabbitohs under 22.5 points @ 21/20

*odds correct at time of publishing

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Cowboys vs Rabbitohs Odds

The Cowboys are 4/6 favourites to win on home soil, with the draw 16/1 and South Sydney considered 13/10 outsiders.

As hosts, the Cowboys are 11/10 to cover the -4 handicap, while North Queensland are 5/6 to win the first half.

Over 52.5 points is available at 10/11, while North Queensland are 23/10 to win both halves.

Team News

North Queensland co-captain Reuben Cotter will be unavailable this week as he is away on Origin duty with Queensland.

Jason Taumalolo returns after a rest last week and will start at lock in place of Cotter.

Robert Derby starts on the wing for his first NRL game of the year and he replaces Braidon Burns, who is absent for the next two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston is set to return from a knee injury, but Bunnies captain Cameron Murray is away on Origin duty with New South Wales.

Latrell Mitchell and Campbell Graham are sidelined with back and calf injuries, respectively, while Talanoa Penitani comes into the team on the wing to make his NRL debut.

Cowboys -4 @ 11/10

The Rabbitohs are going to have to do it tough this week and they are missing too many key players to have any realistic chance of victory.

This time of year is tough for some teams due to Origin selection and injuries to key players have handed the Cowboys the advantage, especially with Taumalolo returning.

While the Bunnies fell short against the Dolphins last week, the Cowboys beat Sydney Roosters 18-12 away from home.

The Roosters are fighting for the league title in third and the Cowboys should prevail at home, having won four of their last six in front of their own fans.

The Cowboys have also dominated this fixture in recent years, winning four of the last five head-to-head encounters.

Cowboys vs Rabbitohs - Handicap 3-Way

Cowboys -4

11/10

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Rabbitohs under 22.5 points @ 21/20

The Rabbitohs have scored 306 points so far this season, the fourth-highest return in the NRL. However, Wayne Bennett's team look like they should struggle in attack this week.

Without Mitchell out wide and Murray's relentless workrate through the middle, South Sydney may struggle to find space in key areas.

They have also scored 22 points or fewer in their last five games against the Cowboys and another low-level display is expected from the visitors.

Cowboys vs Rabbitohs - Rabbitohs Total Points 22.5-25.5

Under 22.5

21/20

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

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