NRL Preview Cronulla Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs

NRL Preview Cronulla Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs Saturday September 13, 4:10pm (AEST), Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Best Bet: Cronulla -2.5 ($1.90) Other: Nil

The Sharks and Rabbitohs round out a big opening weekend of the NRL finals series in arguably the most interesting week one final. The Sharks finished last in 2014 while the Rabbitohs won the title yet it is Cronulla who go in favourites in this desperation elimination affair. Cronulla have history against them while it is form that has the Rabbitohs faithful concerned. 


Andrew Fifita and Ben Barba are set to return for Cronulla with Matt Prior and Tinirau Arona making way. Souths welcome back Greg Inglis, who comes in for Joel Reddy, while Dave Tyrell comes in for the suspended George Burgess.

Cronulla and South Sydney have met on 83 occasions with the Sharks winning 43 to the Rabbitohs’ 37. This is the first final between the two clubs. The Rabbitohs have won seven of the last 11. The teams met just once this year – in torrential conditions – with the Sharks winning 18-10. This is the first time the teams have met at Allianz since 2005 when Souths won 24-14. None of the last five have topped 28 points. Cronulla have never won a premiership while Souths have won just one since 1971. 

Latest NRL Power Rankings

Cronulla finished the year with a 14-10 record though ended with the ninth best differential. Cronulla finished the year with 10 wins in their last 13 matches with two of their losses coming to bogey team Manly and the other to Melbourne. Cronulla rank both seventh in attack and defence. The Sharks have won seven of their last nine against Top 8 opponents while they have won six of their last seven away from Shark Park. Souths finished the year 13-11 and ranked eighth in attack and sixth in defence. The Rabbitohs have dropped their last three and conceded 109 points over that stretch, while scoring just 30. The Rabbitohs have lost the last two matches at Allianz and against Top 8 opposition are 6-6. 

Finals Week 1 NRL Odds

Cronulla and South Sydney have both struggled for creativity this year, making the roles of Wade Graham and Glenn Stewart all the more important. The Sharks have asked a lot of Graham and he has generally delivered with 128 metres but more importantly 30 offloads and 69 tackle busts. He runs hard and offers something with the ball making him ever-dangerous. Stewart shapes up for what could be his last game and he needs to turn back the clock. He has had a forgettable year but Souths are in desperate need of his clever play down the right edge and will be hoping he has his finest game in the cardinal and myrtle.

Champion Data Formguide: Sharks v Rabbitohs

Cronulla are 13-11 ATS and 12-12 over-under while Souths are 10-14 ATS with a 14-10 under number. Souths have covered six of their last 10 away from ANZ. The Sharks have covered four straight away from Shark Park. Cronulla are 3-9 ATS away from Shark Park since 2009. Cronulla are a perfect 4-0 under Matt Cecchin when favoured since 2013. Souths have covered their last five after being held to single digits. Cronulla have covered their last four off a loss. The Sharks have won seven of their last nine day matches while Souths have won seven of their last eight day games. Souths have covered eight of their last 11 off three straight defeats.

William Hill Medal Voting

Cronulla are 10-2 this year after scoring the first try – well above the NRL average of 67.7% – while they are 9-3 when leading at halftime. Cronulla are 10-2 when leading by more than seven points. Souths are 6-2 when scoring first try while they are 7-2 when ahead at the break. Souths rarely get run down, going 10-2 when getting a lead of seven or more. Souths win nearly half their games when they don’t score first try while Cronulla sit around 33.3%. Souths are 3-11 when behind by more than seven while the Sharks surprisingly have the second most comebacks of 13-plus this year with two. 

NRL In-Play Insights

South Sydney have looked shot for a few weeks and it is hard to see them bouncing back against a well-drilled and fairly consistent team. Cronulla are weighed down by history, a lack of creativity and selfishness from their senior playing group but at least they have the talent and the desire. Souths seem to have given up on their title defence a long time ago. Greg Inglis will need to be at his supreme best to give the Bunnies any shot.