NRL Round 3 preview: Sharks v Rabbitohs betting tips & top odds

Sharks v Rabbitohs NRL R3 best bets

NRL Round 3: Sharks vs Rabbitohs betting preview

The Cronulla Sharks will look to continue their strong start to the 2025 NRL season when they host the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Shark Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Sharks are coming off a dominant 36-12 win over the Cowboys, while the Rabbitohs pulled off a thrilling 25-24 comeback victory against the Dragons.

Cronulla have won three straight against South Sydney, and their back five have been in blistering form, racking up 886 run metres and 26 tackle breaks last week.

With Nicho Hynes steering the attack and Addin Fonua-Blake dominating the middle, the Sharks are justifiably heavy favourites at $1.16 with the top NRL bookmakers.

However, South Sydney have shown plenty of resilience under Wayne Bennett, overcoming injuries and adversity to start the season 2-0.

Despite missing key players, the Rabbitohs have found a way to grind out wins, making them a chance to keep this one competitive.

One key trend stands out: 17 of the last 18 meetings between these teams have gone under the total points line, suggesting a low-scoring, tactical battle.

With Souths set to slow the game down and frustrate Cronulla’s attack, this could be closer than the rugby league betting odds suggest.

Sharks vs Rabbitohs Round 3 team news

Cronulla Sharks

1. William Kennedy
2. Samuel Stonestreet
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Kayal Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicholas Hynes
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Daniel Atkinson
15. Siosifa Talakai
16. Braden Hamlin-Uele
17. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Cronulla have named an unchanged 17, with Tom Hazelton still sidelined due to a back injury.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Jye Gray
2. Isaiah Tass
3. Jack Wighton
4. Campbell Graham
5. Fletcher Myers
6. Cody Walker
7. Jamie Humphreys
8. Sean Keppie
9. Peter Mamouzelos
10. Davvy Moale
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jai Arrow
13. Tallis Duncan
14. Jayden Sullivan
15. Siliva Havili
16. Liam Le Blanc
17. Tevita Tatola

South Sydney welcome back Jack Wighton from suspension, pushing Fletcher Myers to the wing. Tallis Duncan starts at lock for the suspended Lachlan Hubner, while Mikaele Ravalawa has been named 18th man.

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Sharks vs Rabbitohs Rd 3 betting tips

The Rabbitohs have covered the spread in four of their last five matches when given a start of 16.5 points or more, showing their ability to compete even when outmatched on paper. Additionally, Cronulla’s attacking numbers have been inflated by facing the struggling Cowboys last week, and they may find it tougher to break down the Rabbitohs’ defensive system. Souths have also proved their ability to dig in under pressure, and with their forward pack showing plenty of resilience, they are well placed to cover the big line offered at BetOnline.

Kayal Iro has been a standout in the Sharks’ backline, scoring tries in both of Cronulla’s opening matches. The Rabbitohs have struggled defensively against centres, conceding tries to opposition centres in four of their last five matches, which makes Iro an ideal candidate to cross the line +125 at with BetOnline. With Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall creating space on the edges, expect Iro to get quality opportunities, especially given his ability to break tackles and finish close to the line.

A key trend in this matchup is the consistent history of low-scoring encounters, so the total points line of 51.5 at BetOnline looks a bit high. The Rabbitohs, even when undermanned, have kept games close through controlled possession and structured defence. On the other side, the Sharks’ pack has been dominant, but they aren’t necessarily a high-paced attacking team, meaning points could be at a premium.

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