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Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL Round 1 Tips - Dolphins Attack To Outshine Bunnies

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: Fri 06 Mar 2026 10:24

Ryan Tucker 06 Mar 2026

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Kick off is on Sunday 8th March at 4:05 PM (AEST) at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins predicted to win Round 1, leveraging strong attack.
Rabbitohs regain top players but defense remains a concern.
Key player: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, prolific at scoring tries.

Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL Round 1 Tips

Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Round 1 2026 - Expert Prediction

A tight clash is predicted to finish Round 1 of the NRL with the Dolphins tipped to get across the line at home thanks to their explosive backline and cunning halves pairing.

The Bunnies should not be the pushover they have been the past two seasons with almost all of their top players back on deck. They have and amazing forward pack and a backline that would frighten any team in the league.

But combinations take time to deliver and there is likely to still be some issues that need to be worked out on the field.

The Dolphins have been threatening finals the past two seasons but have had some stretches where they have been unable to string multiple wins together. They finished with a 6-3 record at Suncorp last season and were the best scoring team in the league with an average of 30 pts per game.

A win to start will put the Dolphins in good stead to go Over their 2026 Win Total projection.

Even when the Rabbitohs had their full squad a few years back, they were not the best defensively and now the playing group overall is a couple years older and a couple years slower. The Dolphins will be able to exploit that with dynamic ball play and changes of angles.

Take the Dolphins to win and cover the short 1.5 line as the home favourite as well as going over their Team Total of 22.5 pts. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is one of the best tryscorers in the league, take him to cross in this matchup on one of the top NRL Bookmakers.

The Dolphins have covered 3 straight v Souths and covered in 6 of 8 games as favourites last season.
The Dolphins were the number 1 scoring team in the NRL last season with and average of 30 pts per game.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored 4 tries in his most recent matchup v Souths.
Tabuai-Fidow scored in 12 of his last 17 games with a total of 22 tries.

Head to Head Stats

These two teams have met 4 times with the wins being split 2-2, the Dolphins won the most recent match up in June last season 50-28 at Suncorp Stadium, they have also covered in 3 straight games.

The Over has hit in 3 of the 4 matchups with 2 finishing with 20+ margins and 2 with under 10 pt margins.

Dolphins Atk Rank	Rabbitohs Def Rank	Stat	Rabbitohs Atk Rank	Dolphins Def Rank
1	12	Points	16	11
2	16	Run Mts	17	10
2	16	Linebreaks	17	9
9	2	Comp %	2	7

Dolphins Form Analysis & Team News

The Dolphins can no longer use the “newbies” tag, it’s time for them to show what the years of roster planning and development of young players can produce. Isaiya Katoa is one of the most exciting prospects in the league and the Phins backline is as potent as any in the league.

Defensively there were a lot of holes in 2025, to be a finals contender this season, they will need to fix the edge vulnerabilities and be more consistent in producing 80 minute performances, not just 60 minutes.

Dolphins Team News

Pre-season rumours of a Hammer switch to the centres have been unfounded with the star fullback named in the number 1 jumper. Selwyn Cobbo gets a start on the wing.

Kodi Nikorima is first choice to partner Isaiya Katoa in the halves while new recruit Morgan Knowles will start at lock in his club debut.

Tom Flegler returns from a long layoff with injury.

Dolphins Team List

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Jake Averillo

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Selwyn Cobbo

6. Kodi Nikorima

7. Isaiya Katoa (c)

8. Tom Gilbert (c)

9. Kurt Donoghoe

10. Tom Flegler

11. Connelly Lemuelu

12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

13. Morgan Knowles

Interchange

14. Brad Schneider

15. Oryn Keeley

16. Felise Kaufusi

17. Trai Fuller

18. Sebastian Su'a

19. Brent Woolf

South Sydney Rabbitohs Form Analysis & Team News

The Bunnies have not had a good run the past two seasons. Multiple players with long lay-offs and changes in the roster have meant they have had trouble racking up wins.

With the majority of their players back on deck with full pre-seasons under their belt we might be able to see what this team can produce. Keaon Koloamatangi is one of the Top 5 Props in the NRL and with David Fifita now on the flank, this pack is dangerous.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team News

The Rabbits have struggled with injuries to their top flight players the last two years and it hasn’t stopped. Brandon Smith is out with a calf injury with Bronson Garlick the new starting hooker, Jai Arrow is also out bringing Tevita Tatola into the starting prop role.

Cam Murray is back on deck and the backline is settled. Ashton Ward starts at halfback for the suspended Jamie Humphreys. David Fifita makes his club debut in the second row.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List

1. Jye Gray

2. Alex Johnston

3. Latrell Mitchell

4. Jack Wighton

5. Campbell Graham

6. Cody Walker

7. Ashton Ward

8. Tevita Tatola

9. Bronson Garlick

10. Keaon Koloamatangi

11. David Fifita

12. Euan Aitken

13. Cameron Murray (c)

Interchange

14. Peter Mamouzelos

15. Tallis Duncan

16. Lachlan Hubner

17. Sean Keppie

18. Jayden Sullivan

19. Moala Graham-Taufa

Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2026 Round 1 FAQ’s

How to livestream Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2026 Round 1?

You can livestream the Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2026 Round 1 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2026 Round 1?

To buy tickets to the Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2026 Round 1 game check the NRL website or the official Dolphins site.

Verdict

Dolphins v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Dolphins -1.5

Line

$1.90 - 2 Units

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