Bunnies could be caught on the hop

SOUTH Sydney risk sliding out of the top four as the foundation club faces its equalbiggest Origin talent drain during tonight’s NRL clash with Cronulla.

What should be a blockbuster top four clash will be diminished by the absence of some of the Rabbitohs’ biggest stars and makes a compelling case for State of Origin to be held on stand-alone weekends.

The Rabbitohs will be without skipper Greg Inglis, Dane Gagai, Angus Crichton and Damien Cook at ANZ Stadium, while the Sharks will be missing Valentine Holmes.

According to Fox Sports Stats, the Rabbitohs’ four Origin players is their equal greatest representation.

They last provided four players during game two in 2013 when they had Inglis, Ben Te’o and Chris McQueen lining up for Queensland and Nathan Merritt making his sole NSW appearance.

With the competition on a knife-edge and points at a premium, Friday’s clash could be key to Anthony Seibold’s side’s hopes of making a real impact come September.

They will drop below the Sharks and Warriors if they lose.