Roar Guru
The Cronulla Sharks are up and running in season 2015 and they will be looking to build on their great performance last week when they tackle the Newcastle Knights at home. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:35pm (AEST).
Cronulla began the season with four straight defeats but that didn’t stop Shane Flanagan’s men from producing the upset of the year last week.
In a powerful and disciplined performance, the Sharks outmuscled Sydney en route to a 20-12 victory that should lay a great platform for the rest of the season.
The Sharks are a very competitive unit on their day and their pack will trouble any side in the NRL, particularly if Paul Gallen, Anthony Tupou and Andrew Fifita stay healthy.
As a result of their win against Sydney, the Sharks start favourites tonight against a Knights side coming off their first loss of the season against the Dragons.
The Knights failed to score a point against St George Illawarra and may have trouble doing so again if the Sharks replicate last week’s efforts against the Roosters.
In what could be a low-scoring encounter, Cronulla will once again try to turn this contest into an arm wrestle. If their forwards are able to dominate like they did against Sydney, the Knights are going to have a lot of trouble getting into positions to score points.
The only worry for Cronulla is their struggle to beat teams they are favoured to defeat. Losses to the Raiders, Titans and Broncos at home this season raise concerns about their ability to live up to expectations to perform.
The Knights possess the class to cause the upset but the Sharks at their best should get home.
Sharks by 6.
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