NRL Match Preview: Round 22 v Rabbitohs

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Fri 2 Aug 2024, 07:34 PM

Inspired by a sold-out home crowd, the Sharks will be desperate to bank a crucial win against the Rabbitohs in their must-watch Women in League Round clash tomorrow night.

Bolstered by the return of fullback Will Kennedy from suspension and forwards Royce Hunt and Jack Williams from illness and injury, Cronulla are out to solidify their top-four place versus a South Sydney side hoping to sneak into the finals.

With a host of players disrupted by sickness in last week's loss to the Cowboys, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has steeled his team to bounce back at PointsBet Stadium.

Though the playoffs are in sight, their focus is solely on the task at hand.

"It's nothing other than this week for us," Fitzgibbon said.

"Souths want to get into the semi-finals ... That's a team that knows what it's about. We're just getting ready for a challenge this week, nothing other than putting a stronger performance than we have in recent weeks out there against Souths.

"They're a respected club, respected opponent, and we'll be ready for that challenge from them. They'll be ready for us, I'm sure. We've got to get ourselves right and get ourselves into the contest pretty early on and see where we're at."

While the Sharks have lost star winger Ronaldo Mulitalo for about a month due to a knee injury, impressive youngster Sam Stonestreet will take his place.

Stonestreet scored a try on debut against the Cowboys in Round 7.

"Looking forward to seeing Stoney back out there," Fitzgibbon said.

"Local junior, it's a terrific opportunity. He's only had the one game and I thought he was terrific for us earlier in the year. He adds a new excitement to us.

"He hasn't had an opportunity to show his real speed yet, but hopefully a bit of space and time will show you how quick he can move," the coach added. "He's really good in the air, carries out of the backfield well and he's a real finisher."

On the other flank, Sione Katoa is aiming to continue his try-scoring streak against the Rabbitohs, having touched down six times in their past five meetings.

In more team news, Tom Hazelton has been sidelined by a lingering foot injury, with Fitzgibbon keen to give the front-rower time to recover and reenergise.

However, the presence of a key trio will boost Cronulla tremendously.

"A bit of experience coming back in this week with Will (Kennedy)," Fitzgibbon said.

"Jack Williams comes back in for us. He's been an important player all year for us, Jack. And Royce (Hunt), who was too sick to travel with us last week, he got himself up and got a game for the Jets, which was good to get over his sickness ... We bring those guys back in who have been three of our stronger performers this season."

Rabbitohs playmaker Cody Walker has withdrawn with a calf injury, replaced by Dion Teaupa at halfback, but captain Cameron Murray is back from suspension.

Having beaten South Sydney 34-22 at Homebush in Round 6, coming off a win in Perth last year, the Sharks are shooting for three consecutive victories over the Bunnies for the first time since a 10-game streak from 1994-2003.

And while the Rabbitohs beat the Sharks at PointsBet Stadium in Round 1 in 2023, they haven't won back-to-back matches at the venue since 2009-10.

If Fitzgibbon's boys can get the job done on Saturday night, it will mark their 50th triumph against South Sydney dating back to Cronulla's inaugural season in 1967.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7.35pm. If you're not headed to the game, catch the action on Foxtel or Kayo – or live and loud at the Sharks at Kareela club.

See the updated 19-man team lists below.

Round 22 - Round 22 - Saturday 3 Aug

Full Time

Sharks

Rabbitohs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Fletcher Myers
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane Milne
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Richard Kennar
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jacob Gagai
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson

Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Jack Wighton
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall

Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 18 Dion Teaupa

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Royce Hunt

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Davvy Moale
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean Keppie
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Cameron Murray
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Keaon Koloamatangi

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Michael Chee Kam
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva Havili
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas Burgess
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Tallis Duncan