In an exciting clash on Saturday, March 22, 2025, the Cronulla Sharks showcased their dominance against the South Sydney Rabbitohs with a decisive 28-16 victory in the Round 3 Jersey Flegg Cup at Sharks Stadium. The Sharks have now won eight of their last ten encounters against the Rabbitohs at their home ground, continuing a trend established over the years.
Dylan Coutts was the star of the night, powering through to score two crucial tries for the Sharks, demonstrating not only individual prowess but also the team's capability to rise to the occasion. From the kick-off, the Sharks were quick to impose their game plan. Coutts opened the scoring just 14 minutes into the match, using his size and determination to penetrate the Rabbitohs' defense and ground the ball over the line.
As the match progressed, the Sharks found themselves in a commanding position, building an early lead. They quickly followed up Coutts' initial try with another score from William Saunders, who burrowed over from dummy-half after 33 minutes. The Sharks thus took a well-deserved 12-4 lead into the break.
The Rabbitohs, however, did not lie down easily. Just when momentum seemed to favor the Sharks, South Sydney struck back through center Daniel Wright, who won the race to a grubber and touched down just before the dead-ball line. This sparked a renewed sense of urgency and determination within the Rabbitohs as they battled to level the game.
Mark Ellison, Rabbitohs Head of Recruitment and Retention, noted the team's desperate need for reinforcement, especially with injuries plaguing their backline. This was highlighted in Mikaele Ravalawa's debut, announced just six days prior as he joined the Rabbitohs under the coaching of Wayne Bennett. "Mikaele is a powerful, big body with a lot of NRL experience and noted try scoring ability," stated Ellison, further emphasizing Ravalawa's role in bolstering their underperforming side during crucial matches.
Despite recovering from an injury, Sharks’ Nicho Hynes played a vital role in keeping the Sharks’ momentum intact, successfully guiding the team through tactical plays that maintained their lead. His presence was particularly significant as doubts lingered over his fitness heading into the match, but he proved to be a crucial asset as the game unfolded.
As the second half commenced, Cronulla's defensive line found itself pushed to the limit when Coutts was sin-binned for a professional foul, creating a dramatic moment as the Rabbitohs leveled the score thanks to a firm try from Joshua Alhazim. This prompted a wave of excitement from Rabbitohs fans, who sensed a potential comeback.
However, this momentum was short-lived as the Sharks regrouped following Coutts' return to the pitch. With 13 players on each side, the Sharks displayed resilience and quickly regained their lead. Exciting plays on the left side of the field resulted in another try for Pharrell Gray, effectively sealing the game with a score that confirmed a six-point buffer for Cronulla.
The final minutes saw the Rabbitohs relentlessly trying to capitalize on any errors made by the Sharks. Yet, the Sharks’ defense held strong, and in a final decisive moment, Coutts grounded a grubber to complete his brace and secure the 28-16 victory.
As both teams look towards their next fixtures, the Sharks aim to keep up their winning streak when they clash with the Bulldogs next Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Shark Stadium, while the Rabbitohs are eager to strategize after a disappointing performance. With the intensity of rivalry between these teams, the next matches promise thrilling encounters.
