Sunday 24 June
Telstra Stadium
Kick-off: 2pm
Live on Fox Sports 3 and radio 2GB 873
Referee: Sean Hampstead

TWO desperate teams striving for form and even more importantly two competition points. That is the succinct summary for Sunday’s game.

South Sydney have had a big week off with field with the key signing of prodigal son Craig Wing for the next four seasons from 2008. It is a message that competition for spots in the top grade will be even hotter next season and it will be interesting to see how the current players respond against the Sharks.

Cronulla always seem to struggle when they are favourites and they went down last weekend in a disappointing loss to the Warriors. In a controversial round 14 game Souths lost to premiership frontrunners in very wet conditions again.

The Rabbitohs and Sharks are the two defensive outfits in the competition behind co-leaders Melbourne and Manly so the attacking unit which can best prize open the opposition’s defensive line should win this one.

David Peachey returns for Souths, after missing last week due to a death in the family, and that should add more spark and variety to the Rabbitohs when they have to ball.

Paul Gallen (suspended – high tackle) is a big loss for the Sharks but that is balanced out somewhat by the return of Lance Thompson from a knee injury.

The Sharks are favourites with the bookmakers but Rabbitohs coach Jason Taylor has got his bench rotating well and this could give the home side the edge.

Key match-ups

David Peachey v his former club

This is a game that ‘Peach’ would have marked on his calendar when the 2007 draw was announced over the summer. It is no secret he thoroughly enjoyed the Rabbitohs win over the Sharks in round three and will be looking for a repeat here. Had a huge game last start at the back against the Panthers.

Dean Widders v Greg Bird

Widders adds another dimension to the Souths attack while the once wayward Bird is in the best form of his career. Both players like to test the opposition defence on the fringes.

Issac Luke v Isaac De Gois

The two namesakes (almost) are vitally important to their sides off the bench. This game could well be decided by the impetus men 14 through 17 can provide their sides and this is where Luke and De Gois come in. Luke has impressed in his short three game NRL stint so far while the Portuguese captain has played all of the Sharks 14 games this year.

Players to watch

Nathan Merritt

Is due for a try.

Luke Covell

One of the best goal kickers in the game with a success record of over 80 per cent which even Springbok field goal kickers would be proud of. Very under-rated with the ball and deceptively strong, is fourth in the NRL in tackle breaks.

Teams

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. David Peachey
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Nigel Vagana
4. Fetuli Talanoa
5. Paul Mellor
6. Ben Rogers
7. Jeremy Smith
8. Peter Cusack (c)
9. Stuart Webb
10. Roy Asotasi (c)
11. Luke Stuart
12. David Fa’alogo
13. Dean Widders

Interchange

14. Issac Luke
15. Shane Rigon
16. Manase Manuokafoa
17. Scott Geddes

Coach – Jason Taylor

Cronulla Sharks

1.David Simmons
2. Mitch Brown
3.Ben Pomeroy
4. Fraser Anderson
5. Luke Covell
6. Adam Dykes
7. Brett Kimmorley (capt)
8. Luke Douglas
9. Kevin Kingston
10. Craig Stapleton
11. Reece Williams
12. Lance Thompson
13.Greg Bird

Interchange

14. Jacob Selmes
15. Ben Ross
16. Cameron Ciraldo
17.Isaac De Gois.

Coach – Ricky Stuart