Check out the match preview and prediction for the Round 23 clash between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
South Sydney Rabbitohs Vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Venue: Perth Stadium
Date: Saturday 5 August, 5:35pm AWST 7.35PM AEST
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Rabbitohs: 1.ย Latrell Mitchellย 2.ย Alex Johnstonย 3.ย Isaiah Tassย 4.ย Campbell Grahamย 5.ย Taane Milneย 6.ย Cody Walkerย 7.ย Lachlan Iliasย 8.ย Jai Arrowย 9.ย Damien Cookย 10.ย Thomas Burgessย 11.ย Keaon Koloamatangiย 12.ย Michael Chee Kamย 13.ย Cameron Murrayย 14.ย Davvy Moaleย 15.ย Siliva Haviliย 16.ย Jed Cartwrightย 17.ย Tallis Duncanย 18.ย Tyrone Munroย 19.ย Jacob Hostย 20. Shaquai Mitchell 21.ย Peter Mamouzelosย 22.ย Dean Hawkins
Sharks: 1.ย Connor Traceyย 2.ย Sione Katoaย 3.ย Jesse Ramienย 4.ย Siosifa Talakaiย 5.ย Ronaldo Mulitaloย 6.ย Braydon Trindallย 7.ย Nicho Hynesย 8.ย Braden Hamlin-Ueleย 9.ย Blayke Braileyย 10.ย Toby Rudolfย 11.ย Briton Nikoraย 12.ย Wade Grahamย 13.ย Cameron McInnesย 14.ย Jack Williamsย 15.ย Thomas Hazeltonย 16.ย Royce Huntย 17.ย Jesse Colquhounย 18.ย Matt Moylanย 19.ย Kayal Iroย 20.ย Mawene Hirotiย 21.ย Tuku Hau Tapuhaย 22.ย Daniel Atkinson
Referee: Todd Smith
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The city of Perth will be buzzing with excitement when Rugby League comes to town, and the South Sydney Rabbitohs take on the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Perth Stadium on Saturday night.
The sixth-placed Rabbitohs’ previous match against the bottom of the ladder Tigers saw them take home a 32-18 win in Tamworth last weekend.
They have won five of their last seven matches against the Sharks and will be looking to add to this number this weekend. With key players in their starting line-up, this could spell a world of trouble for the Sharks.
Hame Sele and Jacob Host will be missing this week, and Tallis Duncan will be on the bench.
Latrell Mitchell teaming up with Isaiah Tass and Campbell Graham in the centres could prove to be a difficult combination for the Sharks.
Mitchell requires two tries for 100 NRL tries, and his stats could crumble the confidence of any player with 45 goals, 72 tackle breaks, and an average of 125 running metres just this season.
Campbell Graham has scored five tries in five games against the Sharks.
The Rabbitohs’ forward pack presents equally dominant players like Thomas Burgess, combining with Jai Arrow.
Burgess could help the Rabbitohs to victory with 34 tackle breaks, 12.5 average hit-ups, 769.6 post-contact metres, and an average of 139 running metres.
Arrow on the left-side edge will add strength to the team after making 21 tackle breaks, 11.3 average hit-ups, 447.9 post-contact metres, and averaging 118 running metres this season.
The Sharks will hope to find their way back defensively after losing direction in their match against the top-of-the-table Panthers, with a confidence-crushing defeat of 28-0.
The Sharks will see a reshuffle after Will Kennedy suffered a hamstring injury, and Connor Tracey will replace him.
This week will see Ronaldo Mulitalo, Siosifa Talakai, and Jesse Colquhoun returning to the lineup.
Mulitalo’s stats demonstrate his untouchable force with 25 line breaks, 46 tackle breaks, 71 defensive tackles made, and an average of 133 running metres. Known to be a try-scoring weapon, he plays with energy and passion and could be a saviour for the Sharks on the outside edge.
With the combination of Nicho Hynes, Jesse Ramien in the centres, and Mulitalo on the wing, it could put much-needed points on the scoreboard.
Hynes rivals Mitchell in stats with 66 goals, 423.7 average kicking metres, 20 try assists, 27 line break assists, and an average of 144 running metres.
Ramien has made 52 tackle breaks and brings his running game for the Sharks with an average of 138 running metres.
Captain Wade Graham could provide the guidance to help lead his team to get the job done in the forward pack with 255 defensive tackles made just this season.
Teaming up with Toby Rudolf who has made 16 tackle breaks, 367.5 post-contact metres, and an average of 108 running metres.
This weekend could either see a game that was over before it even began or a battle to the very end.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Rabbitohs 6, Sharks 4
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Rabbitohs by 6 points.
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