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Rabbitohs v Sharks: Burgess, Chee Kam to start; Moylan recalled

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South Sydney and the Sharks travel to Perth's Optus Stadium for a Saturday night NRL double-header in a match-up that will have plenty of bearing on the run to the finals. 

Cronulla were July's biggest sliders in the top eight after three losses on the trot now mounting pressure on coach Craig Fitzgibbon and his side to reach the playoffs after a strong start to the year.

The Sharks are in all sorts on the injury front which hasn't helped their cause in the past month but defensively is where they've slipped up most, conceding 102 points in three matches. 

Their attack has also hit a roadblock with the Nicho Hynes-led side unable to crack Penrith's defensive line in their loss to the premiers last start. 

Coming up against a Rabbitohs outfit who, coincidently, knocked their opponents out of the premiership race in 2022 seems about fitting for where the Sharks are at currently. 

The Rabbitohs have endured a tough representative period but the return of Latrell Mitchell last week spells dangerous signs for any opposition and the Bunnies - now at full strength - are ready to make a run to the finals. 

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Team news

Rabbitohs: A change an hour before kick-off with Tyrone Munro coming in on the wing for Taane Milne, who goes to 18th Man. Prop Thomas Burgess and second-rower Michael Chee Kam will start with Hame Sele (injured) and Jacob Host dropping out. Tallis Duncan is the new face on the bench. 

Sharks: Matt Moylan is a late inclusion on the interchange and returns to the NRL side for the first time since Round 20. Jesse Colquhoun is the man to make way and becomes the replacement player. After Ronaldo Mulitalo was ruled out on Friday due to the jaw injury which sidelined him last week, Mawene Hiroti comes in on the wing for his first NRL game since Round 10 last season. Connor Tracey is the new fullback, with Will Kennedy (hamstring) sidelined.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
    Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Connor Tracey
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
    Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
    Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 18 Tyrone Munro
    Winger for Sharks is number 20 Mawene Hiroti
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Jai Arrow
    Prop for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele 
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Michael Chee Kam
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
    Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Davvy Moale
    Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jack Williams
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva Havili
    Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Thomas Hazelton
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Jed Cartwright
    Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Tallis Duncan
    Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Matt Moylan

Reserves

  • Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane Milne
    Replacement for Sharks is number 17 Jesse Colquhoun

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Rabbitohs have won five of their last seven matches against the Sharks.
  • Alex Johnston has only scored three tries in 10 matches against the Sharks - his worst strike rate across all opponents played.
  • The Sharks have conceded 102 points in their last three matches.
  • Cronulla and South Sydney lead the NRL with most line breaks (118) each.
  • The Sharks return to Perth for the first time since 2005.
  • Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham has scored five tries in five games against the Sharks.
  • Sharks captain Wade Graham will play his 250th game for the club.
  • Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell requires two tries for 100 NRL tries.

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

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