A sunny Sunday afternoon at Sharks Stadium gives us the most appealing attacking setup of NRL Round 22, as Cronulla host South Sydney in a matchup between two teams entering with enormous confidence. The Sharks have produced 114 points across their past two games, while the Rabbitohs just upset Melbourne 28-26 and have enough attacking talent to ensure this contest is played at genuine speed.
Cronulla have been installed as approximately 11.5-point favourites, but that spread is a little too large for me. South Sydney’s attack is dangerous enough to remain competitive, particularly with Cody Walker, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Alex Johnston, and Brandon Smith available.
Rather than asking Cronulla to win by two converted tries, I will back the Sharks team total over 30.5 points. Their attack is purring, the conditions should encourage open football and the Rabbitohs are likely to be willing participants in a track meet.
Cronulla welcome Thomas Hazelton back from a back injury, with Addin Fonua-Blake moving into the starting front row. South Sydney have named Brandon Smith despite a calf complaint, Sean Keppie returns on the bench and Tallis Duncan is among the reserves as he pushes to return from a hamstring injury.
Sharks vs Rabbitohs Prediction & Tips: 2026 NRL Round 22
Sharks Tear Manly Apart at Brookvale
Cronulla’s 48-12 demolition of Manly was another emphatic statement from a team building genuine premiership momentum. Winning at 4 Pines Park is difficult under any circumstances, but the Sharks silenced the crowd and controlled the game from the moment they established territorial dominance.
Nicho Hynes produced one of his finest performances of the season, scoring a try, creating two more, recording three-line breaks and kicking eight conversions from eight attempts for a personal total of 20 points. His confidence was evident in everything he did, whether taking the defensive line on himself, linking with Braydon Trindall, or attacking through his kicking game.
Cronulla led 30-6 at halftime and continued attacking after the break. Ronaldo Mulitalo scored twice, while Sione Katoa, KL Iro, Siosifa Talakai and Hynes all crossed as Manly’s defensive structure collapsed.
The most encouraging part of the Sharks’ form is the number of different attacking avenues available. Hynes no longer needs to force every play because Trindall is controlling his side of the field and Blayke Brailey is creating opportunities around the ruck. William Kennedy provides support through the middle, while Ramien, Iro, Katoa and Mulitalo offer power and finishing from the backline.
The forward pack is also close to full strength. Fonua-Blake starts after making a major impact from the bench at Brookvale, while Hazelton returns alongside him. Cameron McInnes, Briton Nikora and Teig Wilton give Cronulla mobility and ball movement, with Talakai and Oregon Kaufusi adding further power from the interchange.
Cronulla have now scored 66 and 48 in two of their past three games. Those numbers are extreme, but the underlying attacking improvement is real. They are generating quick play-the-balls, creating width without sacrificing directness and converting chances at an elite rate.
Rabbitohs Keep Season Alive Against Melbourne
South Sydney’s 28-26 victory over Melbourne kept their faint top 4 hopes alive and continued a strong late season resurgence. The Rabbitohs showed composure in a tight contest, with Campbell Graham scoring twice and their senior players delivering when the game was in the balance.
The result should not be dismissed simply because Melbourne have struggled this season. South Sydney still needed to handle scoreboard pressure and survive a late challenge, and they did enough to secure another important victory.
Their attack now looks substantially more dangerous than it did during the early stages of the year. Cody Walker remains capable of creating opportunities from very little, while Jack Wighton gives them a powerful running option in the centres. Alex Johnston continues to finish chances, Graham has returned to form, and Matthew Dufty offers speed from fullback.
Brandon Smith’s availability will be important. He has been named despite battling a calf issue against the Storm. When healthy, Smith brings direct running and energy around the ruck, but any limitation could place additional pressure on the Rabbitohs’ middle defence against Fonua-Blake and Hazelton.
South Sydney’s team selection indicates they will not approach this conservatively. Dufty, Johnston, Wighton, Graham and Walker are all players who thrive when games become unstructured. Even Keaon Koloamatangi and Euan Aitken are most dangerous when the Rabbitohs can generate quick movement around the edges.
That willingness to attack is central to the Cronulla team total bet. South Sydney are unlikely to spend 80 minutes kicking to corners and slowing the tempo. They will believe they can score enough points to challenge the Sharks, which should create additional possessions and transition opportunities at both ends.
The obvious danger is that the Rabbitohs’ attack allows them to control the ball and keep Cronulla below 31. Their recent form deserves respect. However, their defensive profile remains far less convincing than their attacking one.
Sharks vs Rabbitohs Recent History
These teams met earlier this season, when South Sydney produced a major upset with a 36-12 victory in Round 10. The Rabbitohs raced to a dominant lead and prevented Cronulla from finding any attacking rhythm. That performance gives Souths confidence, but the Sharks are playing considerably better football now.
Recent results:
• 2026 Round 10: Rabbitohs def Sharks 36-12
• 2025 Round 21: Sharks def Rabbitohs 14-12
• 2025 Round 3: Sharks def Rabbitohs 27-12
• 2024 Round 22: Sharks def Rabbitohs 20-6
• 2024 Round 6: Sharks def Rabbitohs 34-22
Sharks to Clear 30 in Sunday Shootout
The spread is tempting. Cronulla are playing far better football than South Sydney across the full season, have the stronger forward pack and return to a venue where their attack has regularly flourished.
Still, Sharks -11.5 asks us to dismiss the Rabbitohs’ recent form and their ability to contribute points. South Sydney can score 22 or 24 and still lose comfortably enough for Cronulla’s team total to cash while keeping the match inside the spread. That makes Sharks team total over 30.5 the cleaner play.
The Sharks have all the ingredients required to score 6+ tries. Their middles should generate ruck speed, Brailey can expose slow markers and Hynes and Trindall are currently playing with enormous confidence. Once Cronulla reach good ball territory, their edge combinations are among the most reliable in the competition.
South Sydney’s likely approach also matters. They will not want to turn this into a slow, low possession grind against Cronulla’s forward pack. Their best chance is to move the ball, create offloads and back their attacking players to score. That increases volatility and gives the Sharks opportunities from broken defensive lines.
The weather should suit both teams. A dry Sunday afternoon in the Shire removes the conditions risk attached to a high team total and should allow Cronulla to play with width from the opening exchanges.
There is some concern about regression after the Sharks scored 48 against Manly and 66 against the Dolphins. Asking them to clear 30.5 means we are buying an attack at the height of its form. However, Cronulla do not need another historic performance. A 34-22 or 36-24 result is entirely sufficient.
South Sydney scored 36 against the Sharks earlier this year, which should ensure Cronulla are fully focused rather than overlooking the opponent. That previous defeat provides an additional motivational angle and should prevent the Sharks from approaching this as a routine home assignment.
Cronulla’s attack is purring, the Rabbitohs should contribute to the pace and the conditions are ideal. I expect South Sydney to have moments, but I do not trust their defence to withstand repeated sets against the most confident attacking unit in the competition.
Sharks (team total) over 31.5 points
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
Sharks vs Rabbitohs Player Prop Bet
Mulitalo has only played 9 games this season and has 9 tries in that time. Taking on the weaker right edge Rabbitohs defence, and in tremendous try scoring form, I’ll back him in again this week.
R Mulitalo (1+ try)
$1.72
Sharks vs Rabbitohs Same Game Multi
Leg 1: Sharks (TT) over 30.5 points – See above best bet.
Leg 2 R Mulitalo (1+ try) – See above best prop bet.
Leg 3: C Walker (1+ try) – Expecting plenty of points in this one, and Cody Walker is always dangerous close to the line. At a great price.
Sharks vs Rabbitohs Better Odds & Match Info
Date: Sunday 2nd August
Location: Sharks Stadium - Cronulla
Time: 2:00pm AEST
Weather: Fine – 18 degrees
Odds: Sharks ($1.28) vs Rabbitohs ($3.75)
Line: Sharks (-11.5)
Points: 50.5
Where to Watch Sharks vs Rabbitohs
Watch the Sharks vs Rabbitohs match live and ad free on Kayo Sports.
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