Match day guide and preview for the 2022 NRL Semi Final between the Cronulla Sharks and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Match details
- Who: Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
- When: Saturday 17 September, 8pm
- Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
- Weather: min 14, max 23. 10% chance of rain
- Head-to-head record: Played 91. Sharks 47 wins. Rabbitohs 41 wins. 3 draws.
- Winner will play Penrith in a Preliminary Final.
People going to the game are encouraged to get there with plenty of time to spare due to the Swans vs Magpies AFL Preliminary Final on at the SCG.
Line ups
| SHARKS | RABBITOHS | |
| Will Kennedy | 1 | Latrell Mitchell |
| Ronaldo Mulitalo | 5 | 2 | Alex Johnston |
| Connor Tracey | 2 | 3 | Isaiah Tass |
| Jesse Ramien | 3 | 4 | Campbell Graham |
| Lachlan Miller | 18 | 5 | Taane Milne |
| Matt Moylan | 6 | Cody Walker |
| Nicho Hynes | 7 | Lachlan Ilias |
| Toby Rudolf | 8 | Tevita Tatola |
| Blayke Brailey | 9 | Damien Cook |
| Braden Hamlin-Uele | 16 | 10 | Mark Nicholls |
| Briton Nikora | 11 | Keaon Koloamatangi |
| Wade Graham | 12 | Jai Arrow |
| Dale Finucane | 13 | Cameron Murray |
| BENCH | BENCH | |
| Teig Wilton | 14 | Kodi Nikorima |
| Cameron McInnes | 15 | Hame Sele |
| Andrew Fifita | 16 | Michael Chee Kam |
| Aiden Tolman | 17 | Siliva Havili |
| RESERVES | RESERVES | |
| Mawene Hiroti | 22 | 18 | Davvy Moale |
| Braydon Trindall | 20 | Jaxson Paulo |
UPDATE: The Sharks have been forced into two late changes with Siosifa Talakai and Royce Hunt ruled out due to injury. With Talakai out, Tracey moves into centre and Miller slots onto the wing. Hamlin-Uele will start in the front row with Tolman coming onto the bench.
South Sydney have been forced into one change with Tom Burgess copping a two week suspension and Michael Chee Kam coming onto the bench.
First final
Cronulla Sharks 30 – 32 North Queensland Cowboys at Pointsbet Stadium
The Sharks suffered a heartbreaking golden-point loss to the Cowboys last week in a finals classic that had just about everything.
There was so much on the line, with the Cowboys now set to host a Preliminary Final in Townsville against either Parramatta or Canberra, while Cronulla will have to beat an in-form Rabbitohs side to play in a Prelim against Penrith.
Craig Fitzgibbon would be happy with how his team played with the footy, but would be filthy about the 54 missed tackles, well above their season average of 30.
It was a pretty tough 93-minute encounter so it will be interesting to see if the Sharks can regain some energy and go again.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 30 – 14 Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium
The Rabbitohs got the better of their bitter rivals in a spiteful clash that featured seven sin-bins and a number of failed HIAs.
It was a crazy game unlike any other this season and while the Roosters were clearly impacted by losing James Tedesco in the first half, the Rabbitohs were clearly the better side and deserved the win.
Souths managed to control their emotions better than the Roosters, with Cody Walker keeping his head and having a huge influence with four try assists.
A bit like the Sharks, this was a brutal clash and it will be interesting to see the Rabbitohs can recover for another big game.
Who to watch
Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
There were some question marks around whether Hynes could handle the number 7 jersey, but he has put those doubts to be with a brilliant debut season for the Sharks.
The 26-year-old is one of the favourites for the Dally M this season and was also outstanding in last week’s loss to North Queensland, finishing the match with four line break assists, three try assists and 751 kick metres.
The pressure will be on to avoid a straight sets exit and Hynes shapes as the man to step up once again for Cronulla.
Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
After the Bunnies struggled early in the season without Mitchell, his return has coincided with .
Despite only playing 15 games this season, the man they call Trell Mit is second in the NRL for line break assists, tenth for try assists and has scored seven tries himself.
His connection with Cody Walker down the left edge has been a treat to watch, and they were the difference last week against the Roosters.
Mitchell is the heart and soul of this Rabbitohs side and if he can deliver another quality game, it will go a long way to booking a Prelim spot against Penrith.
Last 5 meetings
- 2022 round 20: Sharks 21 – 20 Rabbitohs at Pointsbet Stadium
- 2021 round 10: Sharks 22 – 32 Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium
- 2020 round 1: Rabbitohs 22 – 18 Sharks at ANZ Stadium
- 2019 round 20: Sharks 39 – 24 Rabbitohs at Pointsbet Stadium
- 2018 round 13: Rabbitohs 22 – 14 Sharks at Stadium Australia
These two have been evenly matched over the last few years, with the Rabbitohs holding a slight 3-2 edge over the last five clashes.
Cronulla did get the better of Souths earlier in the year, with Hynes slotting a field goal in the 86th minute to seal victory.
The last finals meeting between these two was an Elimination Final back in 2015 that Cronulla won 28-12.
Pre match predictions
Jumped the Shark: The Sharks to go out in straight sets with a loss to the Bunnies. Rabbitohs by 10.
Campbell scoop: Campbell Graham to scoop up a kick and score a try.
