Match Preview: Round 10 v Rabbitohs

Author: Zoe Filetti & Sharks Media
Timestamp: Thu 7 May 2026, 12:05 PM

The Sharks showed promising signs in a dominant performance last Sunday, one which saw the Cronulla side score a convincing 52-10 victory over the Wests Tigers.

Led by the kicking game of Braydon Trindall and the control of his halves partner Nicho Hynes, the victory served as a reminder to the rest of the competition that the Sharks when on song have the ability to match it with the leading teams in the NRL competition.

Despite not having the best opening to their season, Cronulla have picked themselves back up, with the Tigers victory definitely a positive step forward.

“It’s a long way to go, and it’s a really good start in the right direction for the team we know we can play like, and there was a bit more Sharks identity in that performance,” Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said post-match.

This week the challenge for the Sharks presents as a different one, against an in-form Rabbitohs outfit who will be seeking redemption following a heartbreaking loss to Newcastle last Sunday. After a late comeback, the early Knights onslaught proved too much for Souths to overcome, resulting in a 42-38 defeat.

This weekend's game is also a celebration for Nicho Hynes who plays his 100th Sharks game.

Through his time at the Cronulla club there have been many standout individual moments for Hynes, including state and national selection, as well as receiving the 2022 Dally M Medal.

For Hynes however, he knows that the team still has a job to do this weekend regardless of the occasion and of his individual achievements.

“It’s really cool, it’s an achievement, that at one stage of your life as a young fella you just want to play one NRL game and I've been lucky enough to play 100 at one club,” Hynes said.

“At the end of the day hopefully we can put a performance on and win the game, so it is a good milestone.”

Against a Souths side sitting in fourth place, the Sharks are preparing for a physical battle, while knowing a win against a potential top four team can provide a huge boost in confidence going forward.

In team changes, while the Sharks will line up with the same 17 which took the field against the Wests Tigers, a significant omission for the Rabbitohs is that of Latrell Mitchell, the Souths strike centre ruled out late in the week due to a back issue.

Jack Wighton, Mitchell's centre partner will also be missing from Saturday's clash after breaking an arm in his teams last start loss to the Knights.

However, that said, rather than dwell on who won't be at Accor Stadium, an exciting matchup will be between fullbacks Jye Gray of Souths and Cronulla's Will Kennedy.

Kennedy was instrumental in his team's big win last Sunday afternoon, while Gray, an attacking weapon at the back, returns to the Souths line up after being sidelined with injury.

In the 98 games played between the Sharks and Rabbitohs, the Cronulla club holds the advantage, having won on 52 occasions, Souths winning 43, with three matches drawn.

The Sharks will be looking for a sixth straight win in games played between the two clubs, while at their last meeting back in round 21 of the 2025 season, the Sharks emerged narrow 14-12 victors in a match played in Gosford.

Ticket are still available for Saturday night’s game at Accor Stadium, with Sharks fans encouraged to show their support for Nicho Hynes in his 100th game for the Cronulla club.

For tickets, CLICK HERE

See below the two 20-man squad lists, 24-hours out from the game on Saturday night. The Sharks are 1-17, with Hohepa Puru, Riley Jones and Niwhai Puru retained on the extended interchange bench.

Chris Vea'ila and Braden Uele have been omitted, with the pair expected to play for the Newtown Jets in a round 10 Knock-On Effect NSW Cup match on Sunday.

Round 10 - Round 10 - Saturday 9 May

7:30 am

Rabbitohs

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Mawene Hiroti
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Siosifa Talakai
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 23 Latrell Siegwalt

Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Edward Kosi

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Ashton Ward

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Keaon Koloamatangi

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Bronson Garlick

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean Keppie

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Euan Aitken

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Matthew Dufty

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jesse Colquhoun
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Tevita Tatola

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Peter Mamouzelos

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Adam Elliott

Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 21 Moala Graham-Taufa

Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Riley Jones