Live: Moses returns for milestone NRL match as Eels try to upset Rabbitohs

South Sydney scores first.

Attacking close to the Eels’ goal-line, Cody Walker throws a dummy and then breaks the tackle attempt of Kelma Tuilagi to score.

Parramatta has knocked-on deep inside their own half for the second time.

Kelma Tuilagi had the ball slip from his grasp after hitting the ground following a hit from Latrell Siegwalt.

Parramatta has defended its goal-line well.

On the final tackle, David Fifita was at dummy half, picked up the ball and shaped to run.

Then Fifita thought about passing but held the ball too long and was tackled, forcing a changeover.

Referee Gerard Sutton blows his whistle, and round 17 of the NRL begins.

The Eels have the first use of the footy, running to the right of your screen.

DROPPED. There is a knock-on on the fourth play of the match.

Jack Williams got hit in the mid-section, and the ball spilled free.

ABC Sport’s sideline eye Michael Carayannis has reported light drizzle is falling at Western Sydney Stadium.

The Rabbitohs and Eels have taken the field.

You can follow the ABC Sport live blog, and listen to the ABC Sport live call.

Tap the link below to hear Andrew Moore, Matthew Elliott, and Michael Carayannis on the touchline at Western Sydney Stadium.

Nine of the last 10 matches between South Sydney and Parramatta have been won by the Rabbitohs.

The Rabbitohs have won the previous meetings between these two proud clubs.

Parramatta’s last two wins over the Rabbitohs were

• 2023, Round 12 — 36-16 at the Sydney Football Stadium
• 2019, Round 12 — 26-14 at Western Sydney Stadium

Newcastle Knights player Asu Kepaoa has been banned for six weeks for using a homophobic slur.

Kepaoa pleaded guilty to using the slur during a NSW Cup match against the Dragons last week.

Kepaoa has issued an apology, and the Knights said they would work to educate the player.

You can read the full story by tapping the link below.

G’day Old timer.

I think you can read what you will into the Dane Gagai announcement.

The Knights have some really nice stock in outside backs.

So do the Broncos, but they are young, and the club may feel they could do with some mentorship by a man who has played 23 State of Origins for Queensland.

I think it is a win for both parties.

Brisbane gets a great veteran, and the Knights free up some cap space to continue improving their already promising roster.

The Brisbane Broncos have cautioned fans about a scam offering mascot audition opportunities for money.

The NRL club has encouraged supporters to avoid interacting with the fake offer.

You can read the full story by tapping the link below.

Wests Tigers have signed Josh Schuster to a NSW Cup contract.

Schuster burst onto the scene at Manly where he made his debut in 2020.

He played 50 NRL matches for the Sea Eagles and was handed a contract extension in 2023. He was supposed to be signed with Manly until 2027, but the Sea Eagles parted ways with him midway through 2024.

Schuster linked up with Souths but did not play NRL footy.

Wests coach Benji Marshall knows Schuster. Marshall was playing for Wests against Manly when Schuster made his NRL debut.

Here is what Marshall told Fox League after that match in 2020:

I’ve got to say — the kid on the other team, it was the best debut I’ve seen from a young kid in my time, ever.

Absolutely [he’s got a big future]. Remember his name because I tell you what, he was commanding the ball in the game, where kids don’t usually do that. I was really impressed with him.

 Eels

Parramatta has made two late changes to the order of the side. Sam Tuivaiti (number 15) will start at prop and Luca Moretti (number 8) will come off the bench.

There has also been a swap at starting hooker. Harrison Edwards (number 17) will start and Tallyn Da Silva (number 9) will be on the bench.

Mitchell Mosese returns to the Parramatta Eels side for the first time since round 11. He did play State of Origin for NSW on June 17.

Ronald Volkman will partner Moses in the halves and Joash Papalii reverts to the interchange bench.

Rabbitohs

Souths captain Cameron Murray returns from Origin duty.

Dayne Jennings, who played for the NSW under-19s last week, is on the bench and could make his NRL debut.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have dealt with large injury tolls in recent seasons, but coach Wayne Bennett says it has nothing to do with their $25 million training centre, built in 2023.

Bennett said the injury tolls were just bad luck, as Latrell Mitchell suffered another calf strain at training on Monday.

You can read the full story by tapping the link below.

 — reporting by AAP

Newcastle veteran Dane Gagai will finish his career where it all started after signing a one-year deal with Brisbane.

The 35-year-old is in top form, but the Knights were not in a position to offer him a new contract for 2027.

Instead, he will return to the Broncos club he last played for in 2012, when he had his contract torn up after a string of disciplinary breaches.

That early glitch in his career turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he joined the Novocastrians under mentor Wayne Bennett and then played under him again at South Sydney before returning to Newcastle.

Gagai, who has played 328 NRL games, became one of Queensland’s most reliable finishers in 23 State of Origin games and represented Australia in seven Tests

Gagai will join a Broncos side that have already lost outside back Jesse Arthars to Catalans for next year and that is expected to be without Test centre Gehamat Shibasaki in 2027.

It is a milestone match for one of the finest players over the past decade.

Mitchell Moses plays his 250th NRL match tonight.

Moses started at Wests Tigers, making his debut round 17 of 2014 against Penrith.

He moved to the Eels for the 2017 season and has gone from strength to strength.

Here is when kick-off in the clash between the Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs is in your state or territory:

• 7:50pm AEST: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, PNG
• 7:20pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory
• 5:20pm AWST: Western Australia
• 9:50pm NZST: New Zealand, Fiji
• 10:50pm: Tonga, Samoa

Good evening, Australia.

Welcome back to ABC Sport’s live digital coverage of the 2026 NRL premiership season.

Tonight, round 17 of the premiership begins with just one match:

• Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Both teams are coming off a bye in round 16, and wins in round 15.

Be part of the conversation and join the blog throughout the evening by letting us know your thoughts in the comment section.

Let’s go.