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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.
Match: Sharks v Rabbitohs
Round 3 -
home Team
Sharks
8th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
5th Position
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
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.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel StonestreetWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Isaiah Tass
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack Wighton
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal IroCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Fletcher Myers
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie Humphreys
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Sean Keppie
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Peter Mamouzelos
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon KaufusiProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Davvy Moale
-
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 Jai Arrow
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Tallis Duncan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel AtkinsonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jayden Sullivan
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva Havili
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Braden Hamlin-UeleInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Liam Le Blanc
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Tuku Hau TapuhaInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Tevita Tatola
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Billy BurnsReplacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Mikaele Ravalawa
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Mawene HirotiReserve for Rabbitohs is number 19 Lewis Dodd
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Hohepa PuruReserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Jacob Host
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Niwhai PuruReserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Thomas Fletcher
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Jayden BerrellReserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Salesi Ataata
Sharks Ins
- Hohepa Puru
- Jayden Berrell
- Mawene Hiroti
- Niwhai Puru
Rabbitohs Ins
- Jack Wighton
- Jacob Host
- Lewis Dodd
- Mikaele Ravalawa
- Salesi Ataata
- Thomas Fletcher
Sharks Outs
Rabbitohs Ins
- Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
- Lachlan Hubner
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
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.
