New Zealand Warriors vs Cronulla Sharks: NRL live scores, blog

Roar Guru

29th June, 2018

3996 Reads

Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
TV: Fox League
Betting: Warriors $1.98, Sharks $1.83
Overall meetings: Played 37, Sharks 21, Warriors 16
Last meeting: Sharks won 26-12 at Mt Smart Stadium in Round 21, 2017
Referees: Adam Gee, Chris Butler

Warriors
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitua, 3 Anthony Gelling, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Gerard Beale, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Karl Lawton, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Isaiah Papali'i, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Simon Mannering
14 Sam Cook, 15 Tevita Satae, 16 Bunty Afoa, 17 Jazz Tevaga
18 Blake Ayshford, 21 Sam Lisone, 22 Albert Vete, 23 Peta Hiku, 23 Issac Luke, 25 Ken Maumalo

Sharks
1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Edrick Lee, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Scott Sorensen, 13 Paul Gallen (c)
14 Joseph Paulo, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Aaron Woods, 17 Jayson Bukuya
18 Aaron Gray, 19 Avagalu Seumanufagai, 20 Sosaia Feki, 21 Braden Uele, 22 Kurt Dillon, 23 Kyle Flanagan

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Joshua Dugan of the Sharks. (AAP Image/Daniel Munoz)

Penrith Punter

Roar Guru

29th June, 2018

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3996 Reads

Will the New Zealand Warriors continue to prove the doubters wrong as they surge towards September or will the Cronulla Sharks confirm their position as premiership dark horses? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 6pm (AEST).

While a top-eight spot looks a certainty in 2018, many still anticipate that the Warriros will limp into the finals. We’ve come to accept that they will never fulfil their lofty potential, right?

Well, heading into Round 16, the New Zealand outfit sit in fourth position, with ten wins to their name.

Make sure to check the late mail for this one, with Ken Maumalo, Peta Hiku and Issac Luke all a possibility of missing the clash after playing in last weekend’s Denver Test.

Fortunately for the home side, key men Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Tohu Harris will all be available, having missed the Test match.

All eyes will be on Cronulla’s new man, Aaron Woods, as the former Bulldog looks to get his career back on track.

Woods joins an already impressive pack, who will look to frustrate the confident Warriors into defeat.

Valentine Holmes is expected to back up for the men from the Shire, however they have injury concerns over both Wade Graham (cheekbone) and Luke Lewis (calf).

The Sharks are still flying under the radar, despite going on a seven-match winning streak during the year. But the likelihood of Cronulla winning the premiership from outside the top four is slim. Currently sitting four points shy of the fourth-placed Warriors, this game is crucial if the Sharks want to be legitimate contenders.

Prediction
Cronulla have won eight of their past ten against the Warriors, including four of their last five at Mt Smart Stadium. If they can find enough creativity in attack they should be able to grind their way to victory.

Sharks by eight.

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 6pm (AEST).

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