RUGBY LEAGUE BETTING PREVIEW - REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS VS SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Rugby League

2026-03-08 - Redcliffe Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

A Sports Betting Preview by Stu

Redcliffe Dolphins v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Rugby League : Australia : NRL
Sunday 8th March 2026 - KO 1805 AEST

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Redcliffe Dolphins

The Dolphins enter the 2026 season carrying a reputation as one of the NRL’s most dangerous attacking outfits. Their 2025 campaign showcased this explosiveness, finishing the regular season with an astonishing 721 points, the most of any team in the competition, cementing their identity as natural entertainers with an unpredictable, highlight‑driven style of play.

Under coach Kristian Woolf, whose coaching blends tactical discipline with an attacking edge. Woolf’s background, from his success in Super League to his reputation for demanding physical and mental fortitude, has shaped a squad that thrives on aggression, speed, and fast‑paced playmaking.

Ahead of their Round 1 showdown at Suncorp Stadium, the Dolphins enjoy an injection of key talent returning from long‑term injury layoffs. Tom Gilbert and Tom Flegler, both absent for very long stretches of 2025, return to the forward pack, bringing size and leadership back to the middle third.

Meanwhile, the backline adds another major threat in Selwyn Cobbo, joining Hamiso Tabuai‑Fidow and Herbie Farnworth to form arguably the most lethal back three in the competition. Half, Isaiya Katoa is one year more experienced and commands the attack confidently, he will look to exploit Rabbitohs reshuffled line up with his kicking game and composure under pressure.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

South Sydney enter the 2026 season with renewed hope after years plagued by injuries and disruptions. Wayne Bennett fields one of the strongest Rabbitohs lineups in recent seasons, anchored by returning stars and new recruits.

The return of Alex Johnston, who needs just two tries to equal the all‑time try‑scoring record and three to surpass Ken Irvine, framing this match as one of the most historic Round 1 fixtures in years. With Latrell Mitchell inside him and Cody Walker directing traffic, South Sydney’s left edge regains its feared potency.

The addition of David Fifita, one of the NRL’s most destructive edge forwards, transforms the Rabbitohs attacking shape. His power running, edge dominance, and ability to bend the line offer Souths another option, however Fifita has been fairly poor in effort in recent seasons, can Wayne Bennett get the best out of him?

Cam Murray is a huge inclusion, returning from an Achilles rupture, whose leadership and defensive work rate are central to Bennett’s structured approach. Jack Wighton, Mitchell, and Walker combine once again to create a spine overflowing with experience and playmaking diversity.

Odds

Dolphins with home advantage start as slight favourites, $1.83 to $2.00, the line 1.5 points and total points is 43.5

The Betting Verdict

South Sydney bring a revitalized backline, and a highly disciplined system under Bennett an advantage in slowing down high‑tempo teams like the Dolphins. Their left‑side attack, powered by Johnston, Mitchell, Walker, and Fifita, is one of the most dangerous attacking corridors in the competition. Their forward pack regains stability with Murray’s return, and their bench depth looks improved with Duncan, Keppie, Hubner, and Graham‑Taufa providing strong rotation options.

Injuries and absences remain a concern. Jai Arrow is sidelined indefinitely, and Joey Glover and Brandon Smith are also unavailable, weakening Souths forward rotation at a crucial time. The biggest question, however, lies in the halfback role: with Jamie Humphreys suspended, the No.7 jersey falls to Ashton Ward, who has played only six NRL matches. Their last five 2025 outings also show defensive lapses, including a heavy 36‑6 defeat to the Roosters and a 60‑14 loss to the Broncos, indicating potential fragility against top‑tier sides.

The Dolphins boast elite attacking weapons, with Cobbo, Farnworth, Isaako, and Tabuai‑Fidow capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. Analysts widely agree they hold the best backline in the NRL, and their ability to generate high‑scoring momentum in short bursts is unmatched. In the forwards, the return of Flegler and Gilbert provides much‑needed physical presence and go‑forward, something the team missed in key 2025 defeats.

Despite their attacking brilliance, the Dolphins must confront a darker reality—their defensive inconsistency. In 2025 they were carved up in games where momentum shifted, conceding large totals such as a 64‑12 defeat to Sydney late in the year and leaking heavily in matches where their attack stalled. Their last five matches of 2025 highlight this volatility: while they posted massive wins (62‑24 over Canberra), they also suffered multiple heavy losses. This unpredictability makes them dangerous but vulnerable.

The Dolphins and Souths have only met 4 times, with the H2H even 2-2. The teams met twice last season, Rabbits winning a tight encounter in round 1 as we see here, 16-14 however the Dolphins have home advantage this time, and the Dolphins winning easily in the return fixture 50-28 when Souths were decimated by injury.

Both teams can score heavily and playing on a great surface like Suncorp I expect this match to have plenty of points. Over 43.5 is the suggested bet this week as there is just so much firepower across both teams. As for the winner 1-12 either way is a good choice although I do think the Rabbits might get up and steal an away victory under Wayne Bennett.

The Pick :

Redcliffe Dolphins 20-28 South Sydney

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take the combined points over 43.5 points returning $1.91 with Bet365