South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
South Sydney fight for respectability on Saturday when they tackle the neighbouring Cronulla Sharks.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
South Sydney Rabbitohs team news
Englishman Lewis Dodd will finally start at halfback for the Rabbitohs, having been named in the No.7 jersey to take on the Sharks. Both Jamie Humphreys and Keaon Koloamatangi have been sidelined due to respective head knocks and knee injuries. Jye Gray has returned early from a broken thumb, shifting try-scoring machine Alex Johnston to the wing. Isaiah Tass has moved to the centres, with Euan Aitken shifting to the back row. Ashton Ward makes his debut off the bench, while Ryan Gray joins him there.
Squad: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Jacob Host 16. Ryan Gray 17. Ashton Ward 18. Thomas Fletcher 19. Shaquai Mitchell 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Ammaron Gudgeon
Cronulla Sharks team news
Centre Jesse Ramien (hamstring) will make his return, after being unavailable for the Roosters game, but Briton Nikora is out of this game due to concussion protocols. Billy Burns joins the starting 13 in the back row, with Daniel Atkinson coming onto the interchange.
Squad: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Chris Veaila 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Niwhai Puru
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks prediction
South Sydney takes their home game to Gosford for a critical clash against a Cronulla Sharks team looking to cement their spot inside the top eight.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs' (15th) struggles continued in Round 20 with a 30-10 loss to the Penrith Panthers. It has been a difficult season for the proud club, which finds itself languishing near the bottom of the ladder with only six wins
The Cronulla Sharks (8th) have found form at the perfect time, securing crucial back-to-back wins against the Dolphins and Sydney Roosters to climb back into the finals race.
Rabbitohs veteran Alex Johnston has scored four tries in three games at this venue. He moves back to the wing this week in his quest for the all-time try scoring record.
The Sharks Blayke Brailey is the NRL's premier tackler, leading the entire competition with a staggering 819 tackles for the season at 95%. His ball running ability has come to the fore in recent weeks so look for him to set up one of his speed men this week.
The overall head-to-head record is surprisingly close, with the Sharks holding a 23-18 advantage in the NRL era. Cronulla won the most recent encounter between the sides earlier this season by 15-points in Round 3.
This is a must-win for the Rabbitohs, but the Sharks looked much improved last week and appear to have more points in them.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks tip: Cronulla Sharks to win & Sione Katoa to score a try
