NRL Round 13 Preview - Rabbitohs v Sharks @ ANZ Stadium

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Cronulla Sharks @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview- The Rabbitohs and Sharks clash in an explosive Friday night showdown of teams both inside the Top 4 halfway through the 2018 competition. Here we have two of the form sides of the NRL, with the Rabbitohs having won 8 of their last 10 games, and the Sharks having won their last 6 to have the longest winning streak in the NRL. The Rabbitohs made another statement last week, going over to New Zealand and belting the Warriors 30-10, as they continued to flex their muscles in 2018. After 5 straight narrow wins, the Sharks broke the shackles well and truly with a brilliant 48-10 win over the Knights, showing some attacking sparkle to go with the opera and grit the Club was been renowned for under Shane Flanagan. 
 
South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Scouting Report - Souths have lost a couple of other key backline players, with  Greg Inglis  captaining  and Dane Gagai on the wing for Maroons  duty, whilst  Alex Johnston is still not back from a hamstring strain. Youngster Adam Douehi shifts from centre to fullback, with Braidon Burns and Hymel Hunt forming an all-new centre pairing . Robbie Farah comes in for his first game of the season, replacing Blues’ hooker Damien Cook, Sam Burgess shifts to the second row for another Blues debutant in Angus Crichton, with Cam Murray starting at lock.
 
Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - The Sharks welcome back one of their key big men with Andrew Fifita (knee) returning at prop, pushing Ava Seumanufagai to the bench and Kurt Capewell to the Reserves.  Wade Graham will be up for a big game after missing out on NSW Origin selection.  Sosaia Feki replaces Queensland winger Valentine Holmes, for a team looking for their seventh win on the trot.
 
Verdict - Sharks by 2-10 in a low scoring game

I like the Sharks here although in slippery conditions, playing on their home turf. I reckon Souths will make them really earn it.  Robbie Farah will be up for a massive game in his first outing of the season, and the Sharks might be a little vulnerable coming off a huge win and a 5-day turnaround. However they are only missing 1 player through Origin and welcome back Andre Fifita to a side that put up 48 points last week.