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South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks – Free NRL prediction and picks – May 9, 2026

NRL – Super Saturday : Rabbitohs vs Sharks National Rugby League — Wikipedia

Saturday night serves up what should be one of the most explosive games on the NRL card, with Rabbitohs against Sharks screaming tries from start to finish.

When two sides are averaging more than 30 points a game and neither defence is exactly built to last 80 minutes, it is hard to picture anything cagey.

Accor Stadium could turn into a full-blown shootout very quickly.

The Rabbitohs keep playing absolute chaos South Sydney Rabbitohs

Last week’s trip to Newcastle summed up South Sydney in 2026 perfectly.

This side can score against just about anyone… but it also hands the opposition plenty of chances.

The 42-38 defeat at the Knights felt more like a playoff game with the brakes cut than a routine regular-season outing. South Sydney were well behind, stormed back in style, grabbed the lead with minutes left… then fell apart again.

That constant mayhem has followed the Rabbitohs around all season.

The issue for opponents is that even when South Sydney look all over the place, they still have enough individual quality to turn almost anything into points. Cody Walker can split a line from a quick play-the-ball, Latrell Mitchell creates danger every time he winds up and Alex Johnston keeps punishing the smallest mistake out wide.

Jye Gray’s return also adds plenty of pace and support through transition.

But at the back, the problems are too obvious to ignore. South Sydney can lose control of the ruck, get stretched wide in a flash and drift into arm-wrestles where every possession feels like a threat.

Against the Sharks, that is exactly the sort of game that could happen again.

Cronulla finally get their attack firing Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks — Wikipedia

After two frustrating defeats, Cronulla blew the Tigers away with a huge 52-10 win that reminded everyone how dangerous this side can be when the tempo suits them.

The Sharks needed a response and they delivered one in emphatic fashion.

Nicho Hynes looked composed again, KL Iro and Teig Wilton did serious damage on the edges and the whole attacking system looked far slicker than it has in recent weeks.

What makes Cronulla dangerous now is the range of options in attack. Addin Fonua-Blake drags multiple defenders into the middle, Hynes and Trindall play fast around the ruck, and once the Sharks get a bit of go-forward, space opens quickly out wide.

Against a Rabbitohs defence that still looks far too shaky, that could hurt badly.

The real question is still the same one that hangs over South Sydney: Cronulla can leak points too easily at times. The Sharks have already shown this season that their defensive shape can go missing when the game opens up.

That is exactly what makes this total so appealing.

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NRL Prediction Rabbitohs vs Sharks

Over 48.5 points

It is hard to build a realistic case for this staying low scoring.

The Rabbitohs have been involved in wide-open games for weeks and Cronulla have just found their attacking confidence again.

With so much talent in the back lines, two defences still too inconsistent and both teams able to string together quick attacking spells, this looks like a natural fit for a high total.

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