The Cronulla Sharks have kept their season on a roll, winning by six points over the Wests Tigers.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Wests Tigers 16
Cronulla Sharks 22
A blockbuster awaits tonight at Leichardt as the Wests Tigers host the defending premiers the Cronulla Sharks. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEST.
The Tigers are coming off a huge week both off the field and on the field. Heading into their game against the Bulldogs last week there was plenty of speculation regarding player movement, but it was their performance on the field that turned a tough week into a good week.
On the flip side the Sharks had their pants pulled down by the Gold Coast at home, Cronulla will be hoping to bounce back, and will have to do so without Luke Lewis who has been ruled out with injury, with Tony Williams coming into the side as a replacement.
You must wonder how much last week’s performance may have taken out of the Tigers, it was a huge grinding effort both emotionally and physically, and this looks like a step up this week.
The match-ups in the game may make the mouth water, Aaron Woods comes up against Andrew Fifita. Fullback flyer Valentine Holmes against the man who could be the NSW fullback later this year in James Tedesco.
While they slipped up at home last week the Sharks have been strong on the road to start this year winning four from four. Their defence hasn’t been the worst this year, but their inability to complete sets and their discipline are not at the standard that they would expect of themselves.
Luke Brooks added some flair to the Tiger’s attack last week, and having a run last week will certainly benefit his fitness heading into this one. If the Tigers are to win this game, the combination of Brooks and Mitchell Moses must stand up again.
The Sharks can win this off the back of their defence, which has stayed solid despite their flailing attack at times this season.
Their defence in second halves has been outstanding, conceding just seven tries after halftime this year, with competition leaders Melbourne who have conceded four the only team better in this stat.
Prediction
The Sharks in my opinion will be strong enough to win this.
Sharks by 8.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEST.
Match preview prepared by Brent Ford.
Cakes
Guest
Why bother watching this game when the referring is so substandard.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The Tigers have 1000% more of chance than Souths. How I wish Souths were as good as the Tigers lol
Zedman
Roar Rookie
That's funny.
Benny
Guest
And again today haha
Benny
Guest
The Roosters got 2 in round 6 and then they also got 1 in round 7. 3 infringements in 160 minutes, remarkable saintliness from the opposition. Happens quite frequently for them but no one else
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
You would think so.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Tigers like Souths gone for the season
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Rugby league needs to take a serious look at itself in Australia if that's the case mate .
Greg
Guest
Only tight because the refs wanted to keep the tigers in it. When was the last time a team received only two penalties in an entire game?
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
It was a pretty dubious call, wasn't it.
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
Spot on there mate. The amount of errors the Tigers made was ridiculous. In one way, hats off to them for making so much of the game without Woods and Tedesco for most of it. But they did continually let the Sharks off in the second half.
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
What do we make of the game, Roarers? Another tight Saturday night contest!
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: TIGERS 16 DEF BY SHARKS 22
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
80 | BROOKS WITH A BONE-CRUNCHING HIT ON FIFITA! The front rower coughs it up 10 metres out from Tigers' line. Scrum to the hosts but Moses throws a forward-pass! They have shot themselves in the foot time and again this evening. Tigers 16 Sharks 22
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
79 | Nofoaluma spills his lollies and the Sharks earn a scrum 30 metres out! They could really put the game to bed here. Tigers 16 Sharks 22
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
77 | Tigers with another ordinary kick on the last. Gallen charges down before Sharks begin marching out of trouble. Gallen now with a good run on the fifth before Townsend shoots for field goal. He misses to the right, as well! Tigers back in possession. The clock is ticking! Tigers 16 Sharks 22
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
75 | Brooks kicks on last back toward the middle but Fifita wins the ball. ALL FOR NOTHING! Sharks cough up ball in defence. Do the Tigers have a trick up their sleeve? Tigers 16 Sharks 22
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
74 | Maloney shoots for field goal from 35 metres out. The kick misses to the right, handing the Tigers a 20-metre start of their own. Tigers 16 Sharks 22
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
71 | Tigers kicking off and in need of fighting back. Prior takes first hit-up. Leutele with a good run on left edge on fourth tackle before Fifita drops the ball. Tigers' scrum 40 metres out from own line. The hosts spread the pill left then back toward the middle of the park. Ball back in hands of Tigers' exciting left backs. Brooks now with a WOEFUL kick on the last! The ball sails dead by a mile and the Sharks are handed a 20-metre restart on a silver platter. If you don't mind! Tigers 16 Sharks 22