This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Tips - Injury-hit Bunnies there for the taking in NRL

Andrew Hendrie

Editor

Last updated: 19 Jun 2025

Andrew Hendrie 19 Jun 2025

Share this article

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 16 game
Third consecutive win for Storm backed
Storm have won 11 of the last 13 meetings against Rabbitohs

Expired

Rabbitohs host Storm on Saturday (Photo by Getty Images)

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm Preview

The injury-ridden Rabbitohs face a tough task at Accor Stadium on Saturday with the Storm finding consistent form and backed to make it three straight victories.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm Preview
Head To Head
South Sydney Rabbitohs Form
South Sydney Rabbitohs Team News
South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List
Melbourne Storm Form
Melbourne Storm Team News
Melbourne Storm Team List

The Storm should have enough firepower to cover a -11.5 line but I'm also backed the total to stay under 48.5 points.

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

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.

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

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.

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

@17/20 - 3 Units

£30 Free Bet

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets

Storm -11.5

Line

@5/6 - 2 Units

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Bet at bet365

Alex Johnston

Anytime Tryscorer

@1/1 - 1 Unit

Bet £50 to get £25 in Free Bets

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Bet £50 to Get a £25 Free Bet. Offer available to new customers only signing up with Promo Code only. Full T&C's apply. 18+. Gambleaware.org

Bet at Star Sports

Alex Johnston

First Tryscorer

@9/1 - 1 Unit

£30 Free Bet

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets