Matchday Details
Saturday, July 26 – 7:35pm (AEST) – polytec Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Belinda Sharpe | Bunker: Ashley Klein
Rabbitohs
1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Jacob Host 16. Ryan Gray 17. Ashton Ward 18. Thomas Fletcher 19. Shaquai Mitchell 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 22. Ammaron Gudgeon
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Chris Veaila 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Niwhai Puru
Match Preview
The South Sydney Rabbitohs take a trip up to Gosford along with the Cronulla Sharks as the two battle it out in Gosford on Saturday night. The Rabbitohs come into this clash sitting 15th on the ladder – and will be desperate to snap a seven-game losing streak – while the Sharks are looking to extend their winning streak to three straight and continue to hold on to their tentative grip on the top eight.
Alex Johnston has an incredible 207 tries and is only five tries short of Ken Irvine’s try scoring record of 212; but the fantastic finisher will have his work cut out for him as he tries to find a way around Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo. Mulitalo is an imposing physical presence on the wing and the 6’3″ Kiwi international will be looking to make things as hard as possible for the flyer, but clearly, if anyone knows how to overcome an opposition winger and find the try line, it’s Johnston.
The Sharks have hit some really strong form in recent weeks and it’s no surprise that it comes on the back of a return to form from the heavily criticized halfback Nicho Hynes and some elite footy from his partner in crime and hooker Blayke Brailey. The duo has had eight try involvements in their last two games; they will need to keep up their electric attacking form if the Sharks want to make a run into the finals and not have this season considered a failure for a side that most had picked for a top four berth heading into 2025.
When it comes to high work-rate fullbacks in the NRL, there aren’t too many that work harder than the two going head-to-head in this match-up: Jye Gray and Will Kennedy. Both of these fullbacks will run themselves ragged for their respective teams and the stats show it, with both averaging around 150 metres per game, they are sure to have plenty of involvements both in good attacking territory and doing the hard yards out of their own end.
South Sydney’s concerning casualty ward continues to grow with Jamie Humphries, Peter Mamouzelos, and Keaon Koloamatangi joining a host of names already on the sideline, which sees Lewis Dodd claim the halfback jersey while Ryan Gray and debutant Ashton Ward find their way onto the bench. Cronulla lose hard running second rower Briton Nikora due to a head knock which sees Billy Burns take his place on the edge.
Cronulla have a slim advantage over the Bunnies in their last 10 encounters, winning on six occasions. Gosford proved an unhappy hunting ground for the Sharks earlier this year as they fell to a red-hot Roosters side in a 42-16 loss; while in their last trip to Gosford, South Sydney put on 42 points of their own in a win against the Tigers last year. If previous form at the venue is any indication, plenty of points could be on offer.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Sharks by 10
See our full Round 21 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 21 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
Related Links
- Round 21 Late Mail
- 2025 NRL Round 20 Injury List
- Power Rankings – Round 20
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