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South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers NRL Round 3 Tips & Prediction - Bunnies to prevail in Gosford

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Thu 19 Mar 2026 12:54

In the NRL Round 3 clash, the South Sydney Rabbitohs face off against the Wests Tigers in a highly anticipated game. The Rabbitohs are favored to win, considering their strong historical record against the Tigers and their advantage in head-to-head matchups. Despite a recent loss, Souths are well-positioned, boasting key players like Latrell Mitchell, who poses a threat to the Tigers' less experienced backline. Analysts predict a low-scoring game with less than 54.5 total points and recommend backing the Rabbitohs to cover.

Andrew Hendrie 19 Mar 2026
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  • South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers predictions for Saturday's NRL R3 game
  • Bunnies with a strong record over Tigers, winning nine of last 11
  • Latrell looks good for a try on Souths' lethal left edge
  • The game is scheduled for kick off at 7.30pm AEDT on Saturday March 21
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers NRL Round 3 Tips & Prediction


South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers NRL Round 3 Tips & Prediction


The Rabbitohs and Tigers square off in Gosford in what is shaping as one of the more unpredictable games of Round 3 to conclude Super Saturday.

It was a dream start to the season for the Tigers after they crushed the hapless Cowboys on a sunny afternoon at Leichhardt last week. But how does that 44-16 victory translate over to this week? North Queensland were absolutely diabolical and it was basically a game of touch footy, especially in the first half.

Souths meanwhile couldn't back up their win over the Phins in Round 1, going down in a tight one to bitter rivals the Roosters last week - although Alex Johnston did cross for his double to break the all-time tryscoring record, sparking crazy scenes.

It's a tough game to call, but I'm leaning with Souths to cover and Under 54.5 total points. I think the market is overreacting a bit to the 'Six Again' chaos and some of these totals are massive. If you look at last week, only 38 per cent of games went over the total points line. The Bunnies also have a strong record against the Tigers, winning nine of the last 11. Just have a feeling the Tigers could come crashing back down to earth against a much better team this week.

I'm also concerned about this inexperienced Tigers' three-quarter line - Jeral Skelton named in the centres and then rookies like Heamasi Makasini and Luke Laulilii. The Bunnies' potent left edge could do some damage here, so take Latrell Mitchell to cross for a four-pointer.
  • Rabbitohs have won nine of the last 11 meetings between the teams
  • Rabbitohs have covered a -5.5 line in seven of those nine wins
  • Tigers have lost their last four games at Polytec Stadium
  • Only 34 points were scored when these sides met last season
  • Four of the last five meetings have seen Under 54.5 total points
  • Latrell Mitchell scored a double in R1 & will be a threat on Souths' left edge vs inexperienced Tigers backline

Rabbitohs vs Tigers Head To Head

Rabbitohs have dominated recent matchups with the Tigers and came away 22-12 winners last season.

YearWinnerScoreVenue
2025South Sydney Rabbitohs22–12Campbelltown
2024Wests Tigers18–16Campbelltown
2024South Sydney Rabbitohs42–28Industree
2023South Sydney Rabbitohs32–18Scully
2023South Sydney Rabbitohs20–0Accor

South Sydney Rabbitohs Form Analysis

Decent start to the season for the Bunnies.

Wayne Bennett's side put 40 points on the Dolphins on the road, with Campbell Graham and Latrell scoring doubles.

The stage was set for AJ to break the tryscoring record against the Roosters last week and he delivered, scoring his 213th NRL try just after half-time, which caused the game to be postponed as fans stormed the ground in celebrations.

Souths couldn't complete a comeback when play resumed - they were in it right until the final play, when James Tedesco scored off a grubber as the Rabbitohs went down 26-18.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team News

Jamie Humphreys returns from suspension at halfback, pushing Jayden Sullivan to the bench. Tallis Duncan also gets a start in place of Euan Aitken.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List

1. Jye Gray 
2. Alex Johnston 
3. Latrell Mitchell 
4. Jack Wighton 
5. Campbell Graham 
6. Cody Walker 
7. Jamie Humphreys 
8. Tevita Tatola 
9. Bronson Garlick 
10. Keaon Koloamatangi 
11. David Fifita 
12. Tallis Duncan 
13. Cameron Murray 

Interchange
14. Peter Mamouzelos 
15. Euan Aitken 
16. Sean Keppie 
17. Jayden Sullivan 

Reserves
18. Lachlan Hubner 
19. Moala Graham-Taufa 
20. Thomas Fletcher 
21. Latrell Siegwalt 
22. Liam Le Blanc

Wests Tigers Form Analysis

Pretty much the perfect start to the season at Tigerland.

Coming up against an atrocious Cowboys side on a dry track at Leichhardt, the Tigers came away with a dominant 44-16 victory.

Kai-Pearce Paul showcased why he was one of the most underrated off-season recruits as he crossed for a double, while Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi combined superbly in the halves.

The Tigers look a tight-knit group and will be hoping to improve on last year, which saw a promising start fade as the season went on.

"We’re a new team. We had a great pre-season and just love the quality of work we’ve done,” Luai said after the Cowboys' win. 
“We’ve touched on it before and it’s going to pay us back throughout the year. (We’ve) got a great bunch of guys around me and I enjoyed today and moving forward we have a lot to work on but taking it week by week.”

Wests Tigers Team News

Big blow last week as Taylan May went off with a shoulder injury, which sees Jeral Skelton start in the backline.

Wests Tigers Team List

1. Jahream Bula 
2. Sunia Turuva 
3. Jeral Skelton 
4. Heamasi Makasini 
5. Luke Laulilii 
6. Jarome Luai 
7. Adam Doueihi 
8. Terrell May 
9. Apisai Koroisau 
10. Fonua Pole 
11. Samuela Fainu 
12. Kai Pearce-Paul 
13. Alex Twal 

Interchange
14. Jock Madden 
15. Sione Fainu 
16. Royce Hunt 
17. Alex Seyfarth 

Reserves
18. Tristan Hope 
19. Patrick Herbert 
20. Bunty Afoa 
21. Faaletino Tavana 
22. Tony Sukkar

Verdict

Souths are backed to come out on top, with Latrell crossing for a meat pie.

Best Bet1: Rabbitohs -5.5 Line $1.91 at NextBet - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Under 54.5 Total Points $1.78 at Neds - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Latrell Mitchell Anytime Tryscorer $2.00 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Latrell Mitchell First Tryscorer $10.50 at Betfocus - 1 Unit
Rabbitohs -5.5
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