2020 NRL – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks taking place? Saturday 14th March, 2020 – 06:30 (UK)
Where is South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks taking place? ANZ Stadium, Sydney
What is the expected weather for South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks? 18c with rain and high winds expected
What channel is South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Starting 13: Mitchell, Gagai, Roberts, Burns, Graham, Walker, Reynolds, Tatola, Cook, Burgess, Su’A, Murray, Knight – Interchanges: Nicholls, Lowe, Sele, Johnston – Reserves: Goodwin, Sironen
Unavailable: Patrick Mago (Injured), Kurt Dillon (Injured)
- South Sydney fell one game short of last year’s NRL Grand Final as they were defeated by Canberra at the final hurdle and they will be eager to start 2020 in a positive way as they look to compete at the top of the ladder.
- The Rabbitohs are tipped by many to challenge for the Premiership this season but must overcome the loss of some key players in their pack with the experienced Sam Burgess and John Sutton both retiring at the end of 2019.
- Latrell Mitchell finally brought his long-running transfer saga to an end as he secured his dream move to the Rabbitohs, which will bring about a change in position as he switches from centre to fullback.
CRONULLA SHARKS
Starting 13: Kennedy, Katoa, Morris, Ramien, Mulitalo, Johnson, Townsend, Fifita, Brailey, Woods, Nikora, Graham, Williams – Interchanges: Tracey, Hamlin-Uele, Rudolf, Sorensen – Reserves: Magoulias, Ferris
Unavailable: Cameron King (Injured), Josh Dugan (Injured), Matt Moylan (Injured), Bronson Xerri (Injured)
- Cronulla’s 2019 campaign ended poorly as they were knocked out in their opening match of the finals with Manly’s strong start proving too much to overcome and the Sharks have a big task on their hands to even make the top 8 this time around.
- The Sharks are already in the midst of an injury crisis in the outside backs with three potential starters all sidelined through injury and they will lose Josh Morris after round 2 after he was allowed to join the Sydney Roosters.
- Coupled with the loss of some experience in the pack with Paul Gallen retiring at the end of last season, it could be a long year for the Sharks and their second-year head coach John Morris.
THE PREDICTION
Both South Sydney and Cronulla have lost some key members of their pack and have struggled to replace them which could leave them light in those areas in 2020. Both teams are strong in the outside backs but the Sharks start the season with several of those players unavailable through injury and that could give the Rabbitohs the upper hand in their first game of the year with the home side able to earn the victory.
