Can the Cronulla Sharks continue their run toward a maiden premiership or will the South Sydney Rabbitohs progress as they hunt down back-to-back premierships?
The last game of finals week one will see the Cronulla Sharks and South Sydney Rabbitohs face off at Allianz Stadium in the second elimination final.
The Cronulla Sharks finished the regular season on a sour note, losing 10-12 against the Manly Sea Eagles. They will be looking to turn it around this week with a win over the Rabbitohs and see the return of star prop forward Andrew Fifita from suspension. If the Sharks are able to play their best football, they are a genuine shot at the big dance.
Fifita has been battling a calf injury, but it shouldn’t see him miss this one, and all reports state that he’s raring to go.
David Fifita, Andrew and Ben Barba have all been named on an extended seven-man bench in the only change from last week’s loss to the Sea Eagles.
Five-eighth Jack Bird has come along way from the Dragons’ U20s to super stardom. This will be the rookie’s first ever NRL finals series and he must relish the opportunity, and perform to the best of his ability in order to get Cronulla over the line.
Jeff Robson has a big role to play here, too, in organising the troops.
If Bird can come up with the right plays to involve his outside backs and spread the ball more as opposed to having the forwards chew up all the yardage, the Sharks will be within three wins of their first premiership.
South Sydney have been down in form in recent weeks, last week surrendering to traditional rivals the Sydney Roosters 0-30.
This loss is just one of several thumpings, including a 12-47 loss at the hands of the Brisbane Broncos and an 18-32 loss to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the Bad Friday replay.
Notably, they have been without star fullback Greg Inglis, who has been battling a knee injury, but provides most of their thrust in attack.
Alex Johnston has deputised ably, but is not the game breaker that Inglis is. There’s a good reason he’s considered by many to be the best in the game.
The Rabbitohs have not shown they were the defending premiers and have so far cruised through the season with a couple of brief glimpses of their best. South Sydney have a huge opportunity to prove that they are not just here to make up the numbers.
Michael Maguire has included Inglis in his squad to return at fullback. This move shifts Johnston back to the wing and sees Joel Reddy drop out of the side. David Tyrrell replaces the suspended George Burgess in the front row.
Inglis’ return will have a huge impact on the Rabbitohs. They must turn their form around if they are to be a chance at becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles since the Broncos in 1997 (Super League) and 1998.
The Maroons’ fullback must lead from the front and take more of a playmaker role. If Inglis can find the right gaps to run and the right plays with the men outside him, South Sydney will be unstoppable. For the Bunnies, it is all in the execution. If they play to their potential, they can score more than enough points to win.
The Sharks and Rabbitohs have met 27 times since 1998, the Sharks winning 15 of those encounters, South Sydney victorious on 12 occasions. They last met in Round 7 when the Sharks came out 18-10 victors in a Monday night riddled with torrential rain.
Prediction
The Rabbitohs will put in a great performance but it just won’t be enough to stop the Sharks.
Sharks by 4.
Join The Roar for our live coverage of the match from 4pm (AEST) with James Silver.
Game Information
Kickoff: 4.10pm (AEST)
Venue: Allianz Stadium
TV: Nine Network, Live
Last meeting: Sharks defeated Rabbitohs 18-10 (Round 7, 2015)
Head-to-head: 27 Played – Sharks 15, Rabbitohs 12
Sharks last three games: 12-14 versus Sharks, 35-28 versus Eels, 40-18 versus Tigers
Rabbitohs last three games: 0-30 versus Roosters, 12-47 versus Broncos, 18-32 versus Bulldogs
Teams:
Cronulla Sharks
1 Michael Gordon, 2 Sosaia Feki, 3 Gerard Beale, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Valentine Holmes, 6 Jack Bird, 7 Jeff Robson, 8 Chris Heighington, 9 Michael Ennis, 10 Sam Tagataese, 11 Luke Lewis, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Paul Gallen (c)
14 Ben Barba, 15 Anthony Tupou, 16 Andrew Fifita, 17 Jayson Bukuya, 21 Tinirau Arona, 22 David Fifita
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1 Greg Inglis, 2 Alex Johnston, 3 Dylan Walker, 4 Kirisome Auva’a, 5 Bryson Goodwin, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Thomas Burgess, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 David Tyrrell, 11 Glenn Stewart, 12 Chris McQueen, 13 Kyle Turner
14 Jason Clark, 15 Paul Carter, 16 Chris Grevsmuhl, 17 Tim Grant
3 Hats
Guest
I agree with you somewhat Mike Superstar is indeed a loose term. BUT...Considering that only 0.1% of ALL players from U6s to A Grade who actually go on and Make FIRST GRADE. Then maybe a Star should be used.... Superstar only if you make it to Origin or Test level or at the very least Win a Comp!
Tomas Kelly
Roar Rookie
If the understrength South Sydney forward pack can hold their own and earn their team an even share of possession and field position, I can see the dynamic South's outside backs creating a heap of trouble for the Sharks. An upset is definitely on the cards here
3 Hats
Guest
It will be a tough game for Souths as the Sharks are at full strength... I will just check that!...Oh Nathan Gardener not listed. The Rabbitohs are down on troops with Sutton, Luke, Gray and big George, all out. I expect a massive Grind up the middle. With some exciting runs through the Edges. Will GI be the one to break out of the back field and go the length? Will TOM and Grant pick up the slack and make the meters required up the Middle? Or Souths centres Walker and Auva'a to stand up and run fast? Reynolds and Keary have both been passengers this past month and need to step up with a good kicking game! Souths X factor runner Grevsmuhl is good for a try or two. Will Gifty set up Aj for a try out wide?... He is so fast and brilliant. Will it be the Sharks big men up the middle causing havok? Will Andrew Fifita run out of gas...he hasn't played for a Month? Lewis and Graham on their edges run hard and also, ball play. Maybe the flashy Jack Bird, or the brilliance of Gordon and Holmes out wide? Will Gallen HOG the ball again when there's a definite chance out wide? Souths have been flat, pathetic actually. Cronulla have been solid without being brilliant. Both Clubs have had chances to secure TOP 4 finishes but both failed. Will the REAL Premiers the Rabbitohs turn up with their boots on?...OR... Will the Premiership drought of the Sharks continue or can they win to keep the dream alive? The Sharks have to win 4 in a row to create History? The winner will play the LOSER of the Broncos and Cows in QLD. I think that no matter who wins this game, they wont go much further. Not Sure! Sharks by 6...unfortunately! But then again I am a pathetic tipster. lol
Mike from Tari
Guest
Jack Bird gone from U20's to super stardom, what a load of bull, so far he is a good NRL player & could turn out to be a star player, the labels that Andrew Johns & Fitler put on players is ridiculous, the term superstar is used by the media for any Tom, Dick or Harry who plays in the NRL, let the players earn that right first.