Round 23: Rabbitohs v Sharks preview
Rabbitohs take the Sharks to Perth for a home game away from home, where both teams are fighting to stay in the eight during the last five rounds towards the race to finals.
After enduring a loss to the Broncos in Round 21, the Rabbitohs bounced back last week to beat the Wests Tigers in a 32-18 victory, fuelled by an Alex Johnston hattrick. South Sydney experienced a rough representative period of footy, but the return of Latrell Mitchell has provided a spark, and they are now ready for the run to the finals and attempt to stay in the top eight.
Thomas Burgess and Michael Chee Kam come into the starting side, forcing Jacob Host to drop out and Hame Sele missing out due to injury. Tallis Duncan also joins the team from the bench. The Bunnies are now fronting with a full-strength side, with minimal players missing out due to injury or representative duties, giving them a much needed boost at this pointy end of the season.
The Sharks' season is on life support, where they have now lost three games on the trot, conceded a total of 102 points within these last three games and were July's biggest sliders in the top eight. Last week, Cronulla fronted Penrith, where they leaked 28 points and could not crack the zero score line, they struggled with both attack and defence, which is a worrying sign coming into the do-or-die end of the season.
After suffering a hamstring injury against the Panthers, Will Kennedy is sidelined, with Connor Tracey moving to fullback. Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jesse Colquhoun return to the squad after a respective jaw injury and suspension. Oregon Kaufusi is also forced out from the squad.
History is on the side of the Rabbitohs, with the Sharks only winning two out of their seven previous matches.
With the Sharks conceding over 100 points in their last three matches, they will have to step up defensively if they wish to have any chance at beating this full strength Rabbitohs side. The Rabbitohs are a strong side in attack where lead the competition in tries (total of 89) and try assists (79) and are equal total lines breaks with Cronulla where they are both on 118.
Last meeting: Round 1 2023 - Sharks 18 Rabbitohs 27
Who to watch: Campbell Graham has scored 15 tries in his 17 appearances this season, along with five try assists and 19 line breaks, he is having an excellent season. He is such a weapon on the Bunnies right edge and having scored five tries in five games against the Sharks, surely, he'll pull another one out come Saturday night.
After winning Dally M Player of the Year in 2022, and having an excellent start to the 2023 season, it seems that Nicho Hynes has hit a mid to end season slump and it's starting to cost the Sharks. Hynes' is an important spine player for Cronulla, and despite his best efforts and confidence, even he admits he could be playing better, and a late season turnaround is what both he and the Sharks need in the close race to finals, where the Sharks are desperately trying to improve their form.
Favourite: Rabbitohs are favoured to add another two points to their count in Perth, and inch their way up the ladder and solidify themselves into the top eight.
My tip: Both sides have something to prove and fight for come Saturday night, however an injury depleted Sharks are coming up against a full-strength Rabbitohs. The Sharks are struggling with form and are without their fullback for the backend of the season, and I don't believe they have it in them to turn it around especially against such a strong team, South Sydney. Although the ladder says otherwise, it won't be a close game, and I think the Rabbitohs could give a death blow to the Sharks and put on too many points to make a recovery. Rabbitohs by 32.
