Rabbitohs v Sharks: Gray returns; Hynes eyes milestone
Two of the best attacking teams in the competition are set to face off in a mouth-watering battle between the Rabbitohs and Sharks at Accor Stadium.
Cronulla returned to form last week with a resounding 52-10 victory over the Wests Tigers, KL Iro and Teig Wilton each scoring hat-tricks as halfback Nicho Hynes produced a sublime performance.
The win ended a two-game losing streak and showcased just how dangerous the Sharks can be with ball in hand.
South Sydney also piled on the points in Round 9, but they were unable to come away with a victory in Newcastle.
A slow start ultimately proved costly as Wayne Bennett's men fell 42-38 in a high-scoring thriller.
The loss came at a cost, Jack Wighton breaking his arm and set to miss Saturday's clash with the Sharks.
Defence will be Bennett's key area of focus this week as the Rabbitohs look to rebound on their home turf.
Latrell Mitchell has been in irresistible form since shifting to the centres and can solidify his grip on a NSW Blues jumper with another big performance.
The punishing ball carrier is set for an intriguing one-on-one battle with Sharks centre Sifa Talakai, another big unit who never takes a backwards step.
Match: Rabbitohs v Sharks
Round 10 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
away Team
Sharks
8th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Rabbitohs: Wayne Bennett has shaken up his backline as South Sydney look to bounce back this weekend, with Ashton Ward coming into the halves and Jamie Humphries shifting to the interchange. The loss of Jack Wighton (arm) will see Campbell Graham shift to the centres and Ed Kosi come in on the wing. Jye Gray is also back from a shoulder injury and will line up at fullback, Matt Dufty reverting to the bench. Up front, Keaon Koloamatangi returns to the front row, with Euan Aitken coming into the starting side in the back row and Tevita Tatola shifting to the interchange.
Sharks: No changes to the starting side for coach Craig Fitzgibbon as Cronulla look to build on a dominant win over the Tigers. Braden Uele is the only new face on the six-man bench. Centre Jesse Ramien has not been named and remains at least another week away from returning from a knee injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye GrayFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Sharks is number 2 Mawene Hiroti
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell MitchellCentre for Sharks is number 3 Siosifa Talakai
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Edward KosiWinger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Ashton WardHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Keaon KoloamatangiProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Bronson GarlickHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean KeppieProp for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Euan Aitken2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Matthew DuftyInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Jesse Colquhoun
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan HubnerInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Jamie HumphreysInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Tevita TatolaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Peter MamouzelosInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Adam ElliottInterchange for Sharks is number 19 Braden Uele
Reserves
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Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Liam Le BlancReserve for Sharks is number 20 Riley Jones
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Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Moala Graham-TaufaReserve for Sharks is number 21 Niwhai Puru
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Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Thomas FletcherReserve for Sharks is number 22 Chris Vea'ila
Rabbitohs Ins
- Ashton Ward
- Edward Kosi
- Jye Gray
- Liam Le Blanc
- Thomas Fletcher
Sharks Ins
- Braden Uele
- Chris Vea'ila
- Niwhai Puru
Rabbitohs Outs
- Jack Wighton
- Jayden Sullivan
Sharks Ins
Match Officials
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have scored 102 points in their last three games at Accor Stadium.
- The Sharks have won their last five games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston requires two tries for 100 tries at Accor Stadium.
- Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes requires 12 points to bring up 1,000 NRL points.
- Rabbitohs winger Campbell Graham will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
