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Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL Round 22 Tips - Sharks To Cover At Home
In NRL 2026 Round 22, the red-hot Cronulla Sharks are tipped for a comfortable home win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Sharks have won eight of their last nine games and have a formidable attack and defence. Experts predict Cronulla will win by more than 11.5 points and keep Souths under 20.5 points, continuing their trend of double-digit victories. Sione Katoa, who’s scored eight tries in his last five games, is backed to score again. Souths’ inconsistent defence makes Cronulla firm favourites.
- Cronulla Sharks are predicted to win by 12+ points.
- Sharks likely to hold Rabbitohs under 20.5 points.
- Sione Katoa tipped to extend his tryscoring streak.
- Kick-off is at 2:00 PM (AEST) on Sunday, 2nd August at Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney.
Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Round 22 2026 - Expert Prediction
Cronulla are backed to continue their top-four charge with a convincing home victory, while Sione Katoa can extend his outstanding tryscoring streak.
- Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Round 22 2026 - Expert Prediction
- Head to Head
- Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis
- South Sydney Rabbitohs Form Analysis
- Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Team News & Team Lists
- Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2026 Round 22 FAQs
The Sharks are one of the competition’s hottest teams, winning five of their last six matches and eight of nine since Round 11. Their attack is firing, but it is the combination of scoring power and defensive control that makes them difficult to oppose.
Cronulla produced one of their best performances of the season in last week’s 48-12 demolition of Manly. Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall combined to tear apart the Sea Eagles’ edges, while the Sharks finished with 11 linebreaks and almost 500 more run metres than their opponents.
That makes Cronulla -11.5 the preferred result bet. Nine of the Sharks’ 12 victories this season have come by at least 12 points, while four of their five wins across the last six rounds have been by double-digit margins.
The Rabbitohs have alternated wins and losses across their last five matches and continue to concede too many points, allowing an average of 26.4 during that stretch.
South Sydney Under 20.5 team points is the second selection. Cronulla have held six of their last seven opponents to 20 points or fewer, including three teams that failed to reach double figures. The Sharks have also kept South Sydney below 20.5 points in five of their last six meetings.
Sione Katoa is the Anytime Tryscorer selection. The Cronulla winger has scored in five consecutive matches, crossing eight times during that run, and continues to benefit from the combination of Hynes, Trindall and Jesse Ramien on the Sharks’ right edge.
- Nine of Cronulla’s 12 wins have come by at least 12 points.
- The Sharks have won eight of their last nine matches.
- Cronulla have held six of their last seven opponents to 20 points or fewer.
- Sione Katoa has scored eight tries across his last five games.
Head to Head
Cronulla have won five of their last six matches against South Sydney, although the Rabbitohs claimed a convincing 36-12 victory when the teams met earlier this season.
Before that defeat, the Sharks had won four consecutive meetings. They recorded victories of 14-12 and 27-12 in 2025 after winning 20-6 and 34-22 during the 2024 season.
South Sydney have also struggled at Cronulla’s home ground, winning only one of their last seven matches at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Cronulla Sharks Form Analysis
Cronulla have won four consecutive matches and feight of their last nine, beating Brisbane, the Dolphins, Newcastle and Manly during their winning streak. Their last three victories have come by margins of 66, two and 36 points, showing they can dominate open contests or remain patient in tighter games.
Cronulla have averaged 34 points across their last five matches while conceding only 14.6. They rank second for points, fourth for defensive linebreaks and first for run metres allowed.
Hynes and Trindall appear to have found their best balance in the halves, combining for five try assists against Manly. Addin Fonua-Blake continues to establish the platform through the middle, while Tom Hazelton returns to strengthen the starting front row.
South Sydney Rabbitohs Form Analysis
South Sydney enter Round 22 after securing a dramatic 28-26 victory over Melbourne, with Campbell Graham scoring the match-winning try in the closing stages.
The Rabbitohs have won three of their last five matches, beating Parramatta, Newcastle and Melbourne while losing to Penrith and Canberra. Their attack has averaged 24.8 points during that period, but they have conceded 26.4.
South Sydney produced six tries against the Storm despite missing several important players, but their defence remains a concern against a Cronulla side currently creating opportunities across the field.
Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Team News & Team Lists
Team News and Lists are in our dedicated Round 22 Team List Article.
Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2026 Round 22 FAQs
- How to livestream Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2026 Round 22?
You can livestream the Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2026 Round 22 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside Australia, the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.
- How to buy tickets to Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2026 Round 22?
To buy tickets to the Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2026 Round 22 game, check the NRL website or the official Cronulla Sharks site.
Verdict
Cronulla will hold Souths to under 20.5 points and kick away to cover the 11.5 point line as the favourite. Sione Katoa will cross again for the sixth straight match.
Cronulla-11.5
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