Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans: NRL live scores, blog

Round 15 of the NRL Premiership continues this afternoon when the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks take on the Gold Coast Titans at C.ex Coffs International Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEST.

The Sharks head north to their annual fixture at Coffs Harbour searching for something they haven’t achieved in the past 8 rounds, back-to-back wins. Still, Justin Holbrook would be more than happy to have that predicament, with his Titans team now at the bottom of the ladder.

After going down 12-0 early last Sunday evening, the Sharks eventually found their groove, running out 38-16 winners over the Warriors. However, Craig Fitzgibbon will know that the Sharks can’t keep giving opponents starts.

Nicho Hynes has been receiving plenty of deserved plaudits recently, however, it was Matt Moylan and Blayke Brailey that were the game-breakers last start. With Will Kennedy ever-improving at fullback, Cronulla’s spine is perhaps a little underrated.

Fitzgibbon has the luxury of picking the same 17 this weekend. However Dale Finucane has been named in the reserves and will likely slot into the team if he passes fitness tests.

The Gold Coast Titans, along with the Knights, are the two big disappointments of the 2022 NRL season. Widely tipped to improve after making the finals last season, the Titans are now running last, after a 30-16 loss to the Rabbitohs last weekend.

It’s hard to predict where it is all going wrong, but it isn’t Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who has been massive for both Queensland and the Titans recently. Otherwise, the forward pack doesn’t seem to be making an impact and an inexperienced halves pairing is struggling.

In a plus for the Titans, AJ Brimson is back from COVID protocols at fullback, with Jamayne Isaako moving to the wing and Esan Marsters going to the reserves. Kevin Proctor has been named in the reserves and is a chance of returning from injury.

Prediction

With their list, you’d think that the Titans will win sooner than later. However, with the side now in last place, and pressure starting to mount on Holbrook, maybe the Titans haven’t reached rock bottom yet.

I’m not completely sold on the Sharks either this season. However the recent return of Wade Graham and the possible inclusion of Finucane adds some starch to Cronulla’s defence.

Attack doesn’t seem to be a problem and Cronulla will win.

Sharks by 16

Game information

Kick-off: 3:00pm AEST
Venue: C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Sharks $1.19, Titans $4.80 – odds via PlayUp

Cronulla

1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Braydon Trindall 16. Teig Wilton 17. Andrew Fifita

Gold Coast

1. AJ Brimson 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Paul Turner 7. Toby Sexton 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. Sam McIntyre 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Sam Lisone