Sharks v Rabbitohs: Hynes eyes streak; Duncan in the mix
The high-flying Sharks are out to keep the momentum rolling when they host the Rabbitohs in a Sunday afternoon showdown between two premiership contenders.
Cronulla have won four-straight to climb to fourth on the ladder and are firing on all cylinders with ball in hand.
The Sharks put 48 points on Manly last weekend, with halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall pulling the strings and wingers Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo scoring tries for fun.
Addin Fonua-Blake continues to set the tone up front while Blayke Brailey continues to develop into one of the most dangerous hookers in the game.
The Sharks face a big test on Sunday when they take on a Rabbitohs side desperate to solidify their place in the eight.
While they sit sixth, South Sydney are just two points clear of the ninth-placed Bulldogs and are battling a bulging casualty ward as they attempt to build towards the finals.
The Rabbitohs claimed a comprehensive 36-12 victory when the sides faced off in Round 10.
Last week's win over the Storm provided the visitors a major boost and Wayne Bennett is eager to see his men back that up on Sunday.
Match: Sharks v Rabbitohs
Round 22 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
6th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Sharks: Prop Tom Hazelton returns from the back injury that sidelined him last week and Addin Fonua-Blake starts in the front row so Jesse Colquhoun and Oregon Kaufusi revert to the bench. Bench utility Hohepa Puru will miss the game due to concussion. After two games in NSW Cup following a knee injury, Braden Uele is listed among the reserves as he chases a first NRL appearance since Round 4. Tuku Hau Tapuha makes way from the 19 that took down Manly last week.
Rabbitohs: Hooker Brandon Smith has been named to play despite battling a calf problem against the Storm last week. Tallis Duncan has been listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a hamstring injury. Prop Sean Keppie is set to return from a thumb injury via the bench. John Radel moves to prop and Keaon Koloamatangi to second row in a straight swap while Lachlan Hubner starts at lock and Bronson Garlick drops out.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell Siegwalt
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL IroCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack Wighton
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho HynesHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Ashton Ward
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon Smith
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Thomas HazeltonProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 John Radel
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Euan Aitken
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Lachlan Hubner
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jye Gray
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy BurnsInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jamie Humphreys
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Liam Le Blanc
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Jesse ColquhounInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Sean Keppie
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Mawene HirotiInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Jayden Sullivan
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Jayden BerrellInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Edward Kosi
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Braden UeleReserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Thomas Fletcher
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Samuel StonestreetReserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Tallis Duncan
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Niwhai PuruReserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Adam Elliott
Sharks Ins
- Braden Uele
- Jayden Berrell
- Niwhai Puru
- Samuel Stonestreet
- Thomas Hazelton
Rabbitohs Ins
- Adam Elliott
- Edward Kosi
- Sean Keppie
- Tallis Duncan
Sharks Outs
- Hohepa Puru
- Tuku Hau Tapuha
Rabbitohs Ins
- Bronson Garlick
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won five of their last six games against the Rabbitohs.
- The Rabbitohs have won only one of their last seven games at Ocean Protect Stadium.
- Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has landed 26 consecutive attempts at goal.
- Rabbitohs winger Cambell Graham has scored six tries in eight games against the Sharks.
- Sharks utility Siosifa Talakai will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
