Having won their past three matches, the Cronulla Sharks will be eager to fire at home in front of a big crowd when they host premiership favourites the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEST.
After strolling to victory against the injury ravaged Tigers last week, South Sydney will need to brace itself for a tough and physical tussle against Cronulla tonight.
The Rabbitohs escaped with a 12-10 victory over Cronulla in round two at ANZ Stadium this season and know full well that the Sharks are capable of making life very difficult for any opposition.
Since that round 2 victory however, South Sydney has gone from strength to strength, registering impressive victories over Manly, Brisbane, North Queensland and Wests.
The Sharks however have also performed strongly after a tough start to the year, beating the Knights, Tigers and Raiders without inspirational skipper Paul Gallen.
Gallen however has been named to return tonight against South Sydney, as has Luke Lewis and Michael Gordon after both struggled with injury last week against Canberra.
With both teams at full strength, tonight’s contest really should be one of the best arm wrestle’s of the season.
Prediction
The Rabbitohs will rightfully start favourites tonight but right off the Sharks are your own peril.
Cronulla have been one of the few teams this season to really match the Rabbitohs imposing play upfront and should be expected to start with great intensity at home.
Sharks forwards Andrew Fifita, Gallen and Lewis will no doubt aim to lead the way upfront tonight against the Rabbitohs, given that all three are expected to be picked for the NSW Origin side.
The battle between halves Todd Carney and Adam Reynolds is also of very big interest, given that both player find themselves well in the running for an Origin birth this season.
Whoever gets on top of that contest may very well find themselves ahead in the pecking order when it comes to getting picked for the Blues.
All in all, both teams are renowned for their tough physical play and should leave nothing in the tank tonight.
The Rabbitohs however do possess the x-factor in Greg Inglis. The Queensland and Australia superstar is in devastating form and may well prove to be the key to victory yet again for South Sydney.
seven dollers worth
Guest
Souths Played a very poor game. I cant say enough that if it was Storm or Manly last night then Souths would Have been flooged by at least 35 points. Souths were very lucky it was only the Sharks who will be happy in the top 8 for a week.
Renegade
Guest
I think he has started all year mate....he went back to the bench only a week or two ago and tagatese has been starting prop since. You're right though, he has gone to another level this year.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
12,230 and as the previous week against Canberra was 12,100,looked about right,ground holds 19-20,000.Stands Southern full ET ditto.Burns 90% hill 50%,concourse seating 80-90% standing areas 40-50%-sponsors chocko. Played on a sunday arvo,full house. Atmosphere incredible,game edge of the seat with such a close scoreline,tough and gritty.Semi final stuff. Weather poor as the game started.People still rolling in 20 minutes after the game started.Car parking well away from the ground.
sledgeross
Guest
Alan, cant believe people are not praiding Bukuya's effort. He was fantastic for 80 minutes, made tackles and as usual, great footwork. If he isnt a better player than Toupou and Heighington, then Im not here.
VOG
Guest
One of the coaches told me at the time after four losses they were needing Bryce Gibbs back to start. They felt he was still young and inexperienced in the role. How many games did he actually start? I did actually say but he's great off the bench. The kid took a step to another level last night.
Souths Supporter
Guest
Should have been a penalty Sutton copped a high shot, seems the refs were watching Matty Johns show last week when he said that Souths got favours in penalties, certainly didn't tonight penalty count 11-3 Sharks way, not taking anything away from the Sharks they played an excellent game, Carney showed why he should have been picked instead of Maloney
Renegade
Guest
He was cutting it, he has been in this form all year....the reason Flanagan moved him to the bench was so he could provide impact of the bench which he provides in enormous amounts.
manlyman
Guest
Great game well done sharks with gallen Lewis and gordon out not too mention this asada shyza very good win! Fifita is a machine so glad they picked him! Carney was unlucky. Merrit proved again he is not worthy (taufua is way better anyway) sutton proved he is too soft for origin and now everyone can see the rabbits aren't quite yet in Manly and Melbournes league.
VOG
Guest
A month ago Cronulla's coaching staff were worried about him. He was starting and not cutting it. They put him back on the bench and he has killed it the last few weeks.
VOG
Guest
12,500 Monday in the rain. So the night after NSW's halves pairing were crushed by a struggling Melbourne Carney leads a massively understrength Cronulla, without his fellow halfback in the second half, to a win over the competition leaders. Great call Lozza. Blues better win Game 1 or you will have a lot of questions to answer. Well played Todd.
Wilson Flatley
Roar Rookie
As well as the token "Get Rid of all Sydney Clubs" rant
Silvertail
Guest
Just wait a tick , I'm sure Oikee will have a complete run down on crowds , Caribbean's , grubs , pies sold ,pies dropped and the weather
VOG
Guest
Tigers got rid of Fifita so they could buy Adam Blair. So how are they feeling now? Oh and Sutton showed he is too soft for Origin.
Renegade
Guest
I hope he doesn't get rubbed out but it was a pretty grubby thing to do....anyways we'll see what happens.
Allan
Guest
What was the crowd ?
eagleJack
Guest
I still see a place for Woods. He has been in great form as well. But Fifiita has been in a class of his own this year. And to think all it took was for him to sit in a hospital bed and watch tapes of Gallen play is quite a story. Lift his workrate and just get involved in the tough carries has worked wonders. Can't wait to see him on the big stage.
Wilson Flatley
Roar Rookie
Yeah i agree, the last 2 weeks in particular he has been absolutely outstanding; after a week and a half in Origin camp i can't wait to see him in action all fired up next Wednesday
Renegade
Guest
Exactly. Anyone suggesting Grant or Woods hasn't seen many Sharks games this year?
Wilson Flatley
Roar Rookie
Andrew Fifita; 80 Minutes 23 Runs 205 Metres 10 Tackle Busts 43 Tackles.... Definitely proved why he got picked.
Silvertail
Guest
There's ya reason Merritt ain't a blue !!! Fiffita and Carney awesome ,