Sharks v Rabbitohs preview

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs Saturday 3:00pm at Sharks Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

Last start winners make a rare day of it

The Cronulla Sharks will make their first appearance at home this season when they host the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday afternoon.

Returning to familiar surroundings after opening their premiership account in Townsville last Saturday, the Sharks will face the Rabbitohs at home in daytime conditions for the first time since 2011.

Accounting for the Cowboys with a comprehensive 36-12 victory most recently, coach Craig Fitzgibbon has retained the same squad with brothers Niwhai and Hohepa Puru included on the extended bench together for the first time.

The Sharks have defeated the Rabbitohs in four out of six meetings during Fitzgibbon's tenure and will be hoping to record four straight wins over their opponents for the first time in more than two decades.

The Sharks hold a 52% success rate in their first home match at Sharks Stadium each season, winning 13 out of 25 fixtures during the NRL era.

After claiming come-from-behinds wins over the opening fortnight, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will be eyeing off a club feat achieved only four times during the NRL era by starting a season with three straight wins. 

Overcoming a 12-point deficit to record a gallant 25-24 victory over the Dragons in Wollongong last Saturday, coach Wayne Bennett has received mixed news on the selection front with Jack Wighton returning at the expense of Lachlan Hubner (suspension). Liam Le Blanc joins the bench for the first time this season, while former Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa has been included in the squad after moving to the club on loan.

The Rabbitohs have won six out of 19 visits to Cronulla since being readmitted into the premiership; their last victory at the venue came in the opening round of the 2023 season.

South Sydney outside back Isaiah Tass will make his 50th appearance in first grade on Saturday afternoon; the 25-year-old has scored tries in his past two meetings against the Sharks.

In each of the years the Rabbitohs have won their opening three matches, the side has gone on to play finals football each time under Bennett (2019), Michael Maguire (2013, 2015) and Jason Taylor (2007).

Last meeting: Round 22 2024 - Sharks 20 Rabbitohs 6

Who to watch: Continuing an impressive try-scoring streak with a double last week, local junior Sam Stonestreet has made the most of being the next man up in Cronulla's backline. Starting the year in first grade after regular winger Sione Katoa underwent a shoulder reconstruction in the pre-season, the 22-year-old bagged a double against the Cowboys to bring his career tally to ten tries in seven NRL appearances. Proving equally as effective with the ball by running for over 220 metres in Townsville, look for Stonestreet to feature prominently in daytime conditions as he looks to earn a new deal for 2026 and beyond. 

Going from an interchange utility to a game-clinching playmaker in a matter of weeks, Jamie Humphreys has reveled in the number seven jersey for South Sydney. Making the move to the Rabbitohs after managing a single appearance in the top grade with Manly over several seasons, the 23-year-old proved the hero with a perfect goal-kicking performance to go with a field goal last Saturday in Wollongong. Set to retain his role at starting halfback with off-season recruit Lewis Dodd sustaining a calf injury in reserve grade, Humphreys could prove to be one of the buys of the year if his initial form is indicative of things to come.

Favourite: The Sharks have been heavily backed to end the Rabbitohs unbeaten start to 2025. 

My tip: The Rabbitohs have been far from perfect over the opening fortnight, yet sit among exclusive company as one of the unbeaten teams in the league. This is their biggest test and one they will fancy their chances of winning. Rabbitohs by 10.

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 18. Billy Burns 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Jayden Berrell

1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Fletcher Myers 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Tallis Duncan 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Mikaele Ravalawa 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Salesi Ataata

Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Jon Stone, Kieren Irons; Video Referees: Chris Butler;