NRL 2025, round 3, preview, Cronulla Sharks, South Sydney Rabbitohs, official team lists, injuries, updates

Sharks v Rabbitohs: Back on home turf; Wighton returns

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 18 Mar 2025, 04:05 PM

The unbeaten Rabbitohs will be out to claim a big scalp when they travel to Sharks Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

With master coach Wayne Bennett back at the helm the Bunnies have defied the absence of Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray to register back-to-back wins over the Dolphins and Dragons but a sterner test awaits in the Shire.

The Sharks are riding a three-game winning streak against the Rabbitohs and come into this one full of confidence after a seven-try romp in Townsville, with their back five combining for 886 run metres and 26 tackle breaks.

With Jack Wighton due back from suspension and new signing Mikaele Ravalawa available for selection, the Rabbitohs' backline is set to take on a different look as they match motors with Will Kennedy, Jesse Ramien, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Kayal Iro.

The last time the Rabbitohs started a season 3-0 was Bennett's first year at the club in 2019, going on to win 10 of their first 11 matches and progressing all the way to a preliminary final.

Round 3 - Saturday 22nd March

4:00am

Sharks

Rabbitohs

Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney

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Team News

Sharks: Stability has been a cornerstone of Cronulla's success in recent seasons and coach Craig Fiztgibbon sticks with the same 17 that took care of business in Townsville. Prop Tuku Hau Tapuha has retained his place on the bench with fellow front-rower Tom Hazelton still troubled by back soreness. Brothers Hohepa and Niwhai Puru are part of the extended squad along with Mawene Hiroti while Billy Burns is 18th man.

Rabbitohs: Jack Wighton is back from suspension in the centres so Fletcher Myers pushes out to the wing and last week's debutant Bayleigh Bentley-Hape drops out. New recruit Mikaele Ravalawa is listed as 18th man. Back-rower Tallis Duncan has need named to start at lock despite fears he had suffered a hamstring injury against the Dragons. Duncan takes over from Lachlan Hubner, who is serving a two-game ban for a crusher tackle. Liam Le Blanc has been added to the bench.

Round 3 - Saturday 22nd March

4:00am

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 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Isaiah Tass
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack Wighton
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Fletcher Myers
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie Humphreys

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Sean Keppie
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Peter Mamouzelos
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Davvy Moale
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Tallis Duncan

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jayden Sullivan
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva Havili
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Liam Le Blanc
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Tuku Hau Tapuha

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Tevita Tatola

Reserves

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Billy Burns

Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Mikaele Ravalawa
Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Mawene Hiroti

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 19 Lewis Dodd
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Hohepa Puru

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Jacob Host
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Niwhai Puru

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Thomas Fletcher
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Jayden Berrell

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Salesi Ataata

Hohepa Puru
Jayden Berrell
Mawene Hiroti
Niwhai Puru

Jack Wighton
Jacob Host
Lewis Dodd
Mikaele Ravalawa
Salesi Ataata
Thomas Fletcher

Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
Lachlan Hubner

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 05:24 am Tuesday 18th March 2025

Stat Attack

Sharks winger Sam Stonestreet has scored eight tries in his past five games.
The Rabbitohs have won only one of their past six games at Sharks Stadium.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 37 tries in 33 games at Sharks Stadium.
The Rabbitohs are aiming for a 3-0 start to the season for the first time since 2019.
Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has landed 26 of his past 27 attempts at goal at Sharks Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.