Rabbitohs v Sharks NRL 23 tips & same game multi – August 5, 2023

Rabbitohs v Sharks NRL best bet

Rabbitohs v Sharks NRL same game multi

Rabbitohs v Sharks match preview

The final game of the NRL Super Saturday double-header at Optus Stadium in round 23 is a must-win match for both the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks.

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has made several changes to his side after their win over the Tigers in Tamworth last weekend. Michael Chee Kam will replace Jacob Host (omitted) in the second-row. Hame Sele (omitted) will be replaced by Thomas Burgess with Tallis Duncan being promoted to the interchange bench. It’s also expected that Tyrone Munro will be promoted from the reserves to start on the right wing in place of Taane Milne. The Rabbitohs are yet to confirm this.

Cronulla Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has been forced to make more changes to his backline with William Kennedy (hamstring) being replaced at fullback by Connor Tracey. Siosifa Talakai has been named to start in the left centre position with Ronaldo Mulitalo returning on the left wing. Braden Hamlin-Uele has been named to start in place of Oregon Kaufusi (omitted) with Jesse Colquhoun coming onto the interchange bench.

The Sharks were beaten convincingly by the Panthers last week. Having lost three of their last five matches, they sit in seventh place on the NRL ladder on 26 competition points and risk falling out of the top eight. The Rabbitohs are one spot above the Sharks, yet the recent return of Latrell Mitchell at fullback has greatly improved their chances of climbing the table.

The Sharks’ left-edge defence is still struggling to stop the opposition from scoring. The Rabbitohs will surely look to take full advantage and should do enough to cover the -12.5 line at $1.90 odds with the best NRL bookmakers.

That Cronulla left edge will be tasked with defending Kangaroos outside back Campbell Graham and New South Wales Blues second-rower Keaon Koloamatangi. Both players have incredible strength to go with late footwork at the line and the skill to score from kicks. It should only be a matter of time before Graham ($1.91) and Koloamatangi ($2.85) score in this match.

The Sharks’ right-edge defence is much stronger than their left, but they will still need to stop one of the most dangerous left-edge attacks in rugby league. With Munro expected to start on the wing playing inside five-eighth Cody Walker, centre Isaiah Tass and fullback Mitchell, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will have the opportunity to play with patience. Simply drawing Sharks defenders in and passing should give Munro the chance to score a try ($1.94).

Two of the Sharks’ last three matches have been losses in high-scoring affairs. The Rabbitohs can score points at will when they play at their best, and the Sharks will struggle to contain their opposition for the entirety of the match. Expect this to be another high-scoring game with more than 48.5 total points ($1.92).

Rabbitohs v Sharks key matchup: Walker v Hynes

Cody Walker vs Nicho Hynes

Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker has been in some of the best form of his career this season and Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes will be tasked with defending him this Saturday. Hynes will need to be aggressive in defence to take time and space away from Walker, while also needing to win the initial contact and make effective tackles. If Hynes is beaten by Walker’s speedy ball-movement and footwork, the Sharks won’t be able to stop the Souths star from setting up several tries.

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