NRL Match Preview: Rabbitohs vs Sharks RD21
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will headline NRL Super Saturday, taking on the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at polytec Stadium in Gosford with kick-off to take place at 7:35pm.
The Rabbitohs will receive a welcome boost this week when Jye Gray returns to the side in the fullback position. Gray has been a shining light in attack since debuting in round six last season. His contribution from the backfield has been immense as he averages 152 metres per game in his 13 appearances in 2025. He will be looking to put in a similar sort of shift on Saturday to help spark the South Sydney attack.
Speaking of South Sydney attack, Alex Johnston has been at it again with his try-scoring feats, racking up yet another one in the game against Penrith last week to take his overall tally to 207 tries.
With Gray back in the side, Johnston will revert to his favoured left-wing position, a position in which he has scored the bulk of his tries. He will be hoping to add a few more to his tally against the Sharks.
Lachlan Hubner: “Hopefully he (Alex Johnston) does (break Ken Irvine’s Record).”
Like the rest of the playing group, and all South Sydney Members and supporters, Lachlan Hubner absolutely cannot wait to see his teammate Alex Johnston break Ken Irvine’s longstanding try-scoring record of 212. Sitting on a lofty 207 tries after scoring yet another one last weekend against the Panthers, Johnston is getting closer to breaking the record every week, and Hubner is hoping to see some special celebrations when it finally does happen.
“Yeah definitely. We want him to break that record… I think he’ll definitely be well-remembered around the Club for a long time, that’s for sure.”
Siliva Havili: “These are the sort of games where you get to show what you’re capable of.”
Siliva Havili is under no illusions as to the enormity of the task ahead of him and his teammates this Saturday night against the Sharks in Gosford. Up against a top eight side and navigating a large injury toll, Havili has adopted that "backs against the wall" mentality, and is ready to go the distance to ensure that his side picks up the two points on the weekend against all odds.
“Yeah big task ahead again. We’ve just got to get a bit of excitement about the boys. Backs against the wall. These are the sort of games where you get to show what you’re capable of. We’ve got nothing to lose and we’ve just got to put it all out there on Saturday night against a quality opposition.”
Junior Tatola: “He (Cameron Murray) does a lot of things on the field that people probably don’t recognise, but we do.”
The sight of captain Cameron Murray doing straight-line sprints at Rabbitohs’ training is certainly one that will get supporters excited. Whether or not he takes the field in 2025 remains to be seen, but for Junior Tatola, Murray’s presence at training alone is a huge boost to the whole squad. Tatola is very much looking forward to eventually having Murray back on the field, and is hoping that moment comes sooner rather than later.
“Yeah obviously it would be massive, man. Just his presence around is big for us. As you guys know, he’s a workhorse. He does a lot of things on the field that people probably don’t recognise, but we do. He’d be a massive help to us if he does come back.”
Wayne Bennett: “Hopefully it’s the start of a lot of NRL games for him at the Club.”
Rabbitohs Head Coach Wayne Bennett has backed young gun Ashton Ward, who is set to make his NRL debut off the bench this week. Ashton Ward has impressed through the pathways system and now gets his chance on the big stage against the Sharks.
“He’s very brave and knows his way around the footy field. Hopefully it’s the start of a lot of NRL games for him at the Club.”
Team Changes
Rabbitohs Head Coach Wayne Bennett has rung in a number of changes to the side that went down to Penrith in round 20.
Jye Gray returns from a broken thumb sustained against the Bulldogs in round 15. He will line up at fullback, pushing Alex Johnston to his preferred left wing position.
Lewis Dodd comes off the bench to start at halfback for the first time as Jamie Humphreys recovers from a head knock suffered against the Panthers.
Finally, Sean Keppie returns to the starting side in the front row, with Jacob Host, Ryan Gray and Ashton Ward all named to come off the interchange bench.
Recent Results
- Round three, 2025 – Sharks 27-12 Rabbitohs (Shark Park).
- Round 22, 2024 – Sharks 20-6 Rabbitohs (Shark Park).
- Round six, 2024 – Sharks 34-22 Rabbitohs (Accor Stadium).
- Round 23, 2023 – Sharks 26-16 Rabbitohs (Optus Stadium, Perth).
- Round one, 2023 – Rabbitohs 27-18 Sharks (Shark Park).
Match Details and Where To Watch
Fixture: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Date: Saturday 26 July
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEST)
Venue: polytec Stadium, Gosford
Where to Watch: Purchase Tickets Here
