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South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm NRL Tips - Storm to cover against injury-hit Bunnies

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 26 Jun 2025 11:05

Andrew Hendrie 26 Jun 2025

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South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 16 game
Kick off is at 7.35pm AEST at Accor Stadium
Storm to continue strong recent record against Rabbitohs
Souths' repeated gallant efforts this season sway tip for Under 48.5 total points
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bets

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm NRL Tips

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm, NRL Round 16 - Expert Prediction

The Storm will be aiming to win three games in a row for the first time this season when they come up against the injury-ridden Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium on Saturday night.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm, NRL Round 16 - Expert Prediction
Head To Head
South Sydney Rabbitohs Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2025 Betting Trends
South Sydney Rabbitohs Team News
South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List
Melbourne Storm Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Recent Form
2025 Betting Trends
Melbourne Storm Team News
Melbourne Storm Team List

It's been a wildly inconsistent season for the Storm - we've seen a number of classic Craig Bellamy sprays, but I'm backing the men in purple to register three consecutive victories for the first time in 2025 here.

Have a look at the Free Rabbitohs vs Storm Cheat Sheet from Bets.com.au

Download Rabbitohs vs Storm Cheat Sheet

South Sydney have endured a luckless campaign with injuries and Jayden Sullivan, Jye Gray and Keaon Koloamatangi were the latest additions to the casualty ward following last week's loss to the Bulldogs. It remains to be seen how many of Melbourne's Origin players are named, but nevertheless, I can't see the Bunnies having enough points in them to emerge victorious in this one.

The Rabbitohs have been gallant all season under Wayne Bennett, which is why I'm leaning towards Under 48.5 points, but the Storm should have enough firepower to cover a -11.5 line. Sticking with the rule of always backing Alex Johnston when he's at odds of $2.00 or more for Anytime Tryscorer.

Storm have won 11 of the last 13 meetings between the teams
Storm have covered a -11.5 line in five of their last six wins
Rabbitohs have seen Under 48.5 points in 13 of their 14 games this season
Six of the last seven meetings have seen Under 48.5 points
Alex Johnston has scored 91 tries in 96 games at Accor Stadium & scored at least one try in his last four games

Head To Head

The Storm have enjoyed consistent success over the last two decades against the Bunnies, winning 11 of the last 13 encounters. Craig Bellamy has also won his last 14 games against Wayne Bennett.

Melbourne prevailed 24-16 back in Round 8 this season, with the Bunnies scoring a late try to make the score look more respectable.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
2-3	3-2	2-3

It's been a brave effort from the Rabbitohs this season, but the sad reality is that they've slipped to 14th spot on the ladder, just two points ahead of the Titans in last.

Souths have lost seven of their last nine games as they repeatedly deal with injuries to key figures.

Despite this, the Bunnies are fighting to the end in most games, as you'd expect with Bennett steering the ship.

The Rabbitohs looked in danger of another pummelling at the hands of Canterbury when they quickly went down 18-0 last week, but after the lightning break, they outscored their opponents 18-6, but ultimately ran out of time to complete the comeback.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
8-6	2-12	6-4	0-4

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team News

Latrell Mitchell has been named to back up from Origin, while Cody Walker and Campbell Graham are in the reserves as they near a comeback from injuries.

Lewis Dodd comes into the halves for his fourth game of the season and Sean Keppie joins the bench.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List

1. Latrell Mitchell

2. Alex Johnston

3. Jack Wighton

4. Isaiah Tass

5. Tyrone Munro

6. Lewis Dodd

7. Jamie Humphreys

8. Jai Arrow

9. Siliva Havili

10. Davvy Moale

11. Euan Aitken

12. Tallis Duncan

13. Lachlan Hubner

Interchange

14. Ryan Gray

15. Sean Keppie

16. Liam Le Blanc

17. Tevita Tatola

Reserves

18. Salesi Ataata

19. Keaon Koloamatangi

20. Cody Walker

21. Campbell Graham

22. Jacob Host

Melbourne Storm Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
3-2	3-2	3-2

You get the feeling Melbourne are just going through the motions this year and will look to up the ante in the final few rounds of the regular season heading into the finals.

The Storm will almost certainly finish in the top four, which is all they need to then launch their premiership assault.

In saying that, Bellamy will demand more consistency and coming off the bye, this is a great chance to win three games on the bounce for the first time this season.

Melbourne got the job done in their two previous games before the bye, defeating the Titans 28-16 and the Cowboys 38-14.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-12	13+
6-6	8-4	3-3	5-1

Melbourne Storm Team News

Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Trent Loiero, Xavier Coates and Stefano Utoikamanu have all been named to back up from Origin, with Bronson Garlick joining the bench in place of Ativalu Lisati the only change.

Melbourne Storm Team List

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen

2. Grant Anderson

3. Jack Howarth

4. Nick Meaney

5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Harry Grant

10. Josh King

11. Shawn Blore

12. Eliesa Katoa

13. Trent Loiero

Interchange

14. Tyran Wishart

15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

16. Tui Kamikamica

17. Bronson Garlick

Reserves

18. Ativalu Lisati

19. Alec MacDonald

20. Sualauvi Faalogo

21. Joe Chan

22. Lazarus Vaalepu

23. Keagan Russell-Smith

24. Kane Bradley

Verdict

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm

The Rabbitohs have put up a fight all season, so they can keep this total Under 48.5, but the Storm should still prevail relatively comfortably.

Alex Johnston is backed for another four-pointer as he continues his pursuit of the all-time NRL try-scoring record.

Under 48.5

Total Points

$1.85 - 3 Units

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Storm -11.5

Line

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Anytime Tryscorer

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Alex Johnston

First Tryscorer

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