South Sydney and the Sharks travel to Perth's Optus Stadium for a Saturday night NRL double-header in a match-up that will have plenty of bearing on the run to the finals.
Cronulla were July's biggest sliders in the top eight after three losses on the trot now mounting pressure on coach Craig Fitzgibbon and his side to reach the playoffs after a strong start to the year.
The Sharks are in all sorts on the injury front which hasn't helped their cause in the past month but defensively is where they've slipped up most, conceding 102 points in three matches.
Their attack has also hit a roadblock with the Nicho Hynes-led side unable to crack Penrith's defensive line in their loss to the premiers last start.
Coming up against a Rabbitohs outfit who, coincidently, knocked their opponents out of the premiership race in 2022 seems about fitting for where the Sharks are at currently.
The Rabbitohs have endured a tough representative period but the return of Latrell Mitchell last week spells dangerous signs for any opposition and the Bunnies - now at full strength - are ready to make a run to the finals.
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Team news
Rabbitohs: A change an hour before kick-off with Tyrone Munro coming in on the wing for Taane Milne, who goes to 18th Man. Prop Thomas Burgess and second-rower Michael Chee Kam will start with Hame Sele (injured) and Jacob Host dropping out. Tallis Duncan is the new face on the bench.
Sharks: Matt Moylan is a late inclusion on the interchange and returns to the NRL side for the first time since Round 20. Jesse Colquhoun is the man to make way and becomes the replacement player. After Ronaldo Mulitalo was ruled out on Friday due to the jaw injury which sidelined him last week, Mawene Hiroti comes in on the wing for his first NRL game since Round 10 last season. Connor Tracey is the new fullback, with Will Kennedy (hamstring) sidelined.
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Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won five of their last seven matches against the Sharks.
- Alex Johnston has only scored three tries in 10 matches against the Sharks - his worst strike rate across all opponents played.
- The Sharks have conceded 102 points in their last three matches.
- Cronulla and South Sydney lead the NRL with most line breaks (118) each.
- The Sharks return to Perth for the first time since 2005.
- Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham has scored five tries in five games against the Sharks.
- Sharks captain Wade Graham will play his 250th game for the club.
- Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell requires two tries for 100 NRL tries.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.