Optus Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 23 NRL game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with South Sydney Rabbitohs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Cronulla Sharks game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday August 5, 2023 at 7:35 pm

Where: Optus Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks Odds

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks Preview

Arguably the most pivotal showdown of the round. Souths are searching for back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 11.

Cronulla are desperate to halt a three-match skid, both teams are on 26 points in a share of sixth spot.

After losing six of their previous eight, the Rabbitohs welcomed Latrell Mitchell back from a 10-week layoff with an unexpectedly hard-fought 32-18 win over Wests Tigers in Tamworth. The heavyweights led by only two points with 15 minutes to go.

Thomas Burgess and Michael Chee Kam come into the starting pack for Hame Sele and Jacob Host, with impressive rookie Tallis Duncan getting another run from the bench.

The Sharks’ horror slide – losing to the Warriors (44-12), Manly (30-26) and Penrith (28-0) – has now been compounded by injuries to key men.

Dale Finucane and Teig Wilton are out for the year, while Will Kennedy won’t play until the finals…if the Sharks in fact make it that far.

Connor Tracey will start at fullback with Kennedy hamstrung, while Ronaldo Mulitalo returns from a jaw injury on the wing. Jesse Colqhoun is back from suspension at Oregon Kaufusi’s expense.

Souths have won four of their last five against Cronulla, including a 38-12 semi-final thrashing last season and a 27-18 result against a Hynes-less Sharks outfit in Round 1 this year.

As it did last year, Mitchell’s return from injury should ignite Souths’ return to title-contending form sooner rather than later.

The Sharks showed plenty of guts against dominant Penrith but errors and listless attack painted the picture of a team down on confidence and going nowhere fast.

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