Sharks
22
Match Complete
Warriors
14
| R. Mulitalo |  | 78 | ||
| S. Johnson |  | 75 | ||
| T. Rudolf | | 73 | ||
| 62 |  | C. Harris-Tavita | ||
| 53 | | C. Harris-Tavita | ||
| 51 | | A. Pompey | ||
| 38 | | C. Harris-Tavita | ||
| 36 | | J. Murchie | ||
| S. Johnson | | 34 | ||
| S. Johnson | | 31 | ||
| R. Mulitalo | | 30 | ||
| S. Katoa | | 12 |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The eighth-placed Cronulla Sharks look to hold off the challenge of the surging New Zealand Warriors. Join The Roar for live scores from 6:30pm (AEST).
This is one of the more intriguing match-ups of the round. Cronulla are clinging onto their finals berth, but the Warriors have defied arduous circumstances to be one of the form teams of the competition.
A finals-run seemed a remote possibility for the New Zealand club a month ago, yet a win here would leave the Warriors shy of the eight by just two points.
Cronulla were given an old-fashioned hiding by the Knights in Newcastle. The paper-thin defence which has plagued John Morris’s team all year was exposed relentlessly, and time is running out for the Sharks to prove they can be anything more than a speed-bump to the good teams.
Astoundingly for a team that has spent most of the year inside the top eight – the Sharks are still yet to beat any top eight side.
The Warriors were typically gallant in their narrow defeat as heavy underdogs to Parramatta. The game could’ve easily been theirs had they not had a man incorrectly sin-binned in the first half.
The Warriors have shown incredible resilience in the face of adversity. Cronulla on the other hand, don’t have a single win over finals-bound teams to their name in the entire season.
Put simply, the Sharks don’t deserve to play in the finals. The Warriors do.
Game information
Kick-off: 6:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, NRL Live Pass
Odds: Sharks $1.56, Warriors $2.45
Teams
Sharks
1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Connor Tracey, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Siosifa Talakai, 13. Toby Rudolf
Bench/Reserves: 14. Teig Wilton, 15. Jack Williams, 16. Andrew Fifita, 17. Royce Hunt, 18. Scott Sorensen, 19. Bryson Goodwin, 20. Braydon Trindall, 21. Billy Magoulias
Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Adam Pompey, 3. Hayze Perham, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. George Jennings, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 9. Karl Lawton, 10. Isaiah Papali’i, 11. Jack Murchie, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Jazz Tevaga
Bench/Reserves: 14. Wayde Egan, 15. Adam Blair, 16. Daniel Alvaro, 17. Lachlan Burr, 18. Josh Curran, 20. Paul Turner, 21. Tom Ale, 22. Gerard Beale
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
My change to your ideas would be 1 & 2 get the week off then play the winner of your elimination finals, winners of those games go on to GF. Or even go back to 5. It won't happen because of the mighty $$. More teams in the final 8, more games, more watchers, more $$. It doesn't matter to the bean counters if some of those teams are cannon fodder and just making the numbers, they'll argue "that there's always a chance'. I suppose I'm being overly harsh as it gives some teams a chance to realise their goal (to make the 8) and some coach a chance to keep a job. Knights made the 8 and while I'm happy for them, I don't think there is much stomach or belief to go deep. We'll see where Sharkies are next week. If they don't go out and play like they intend (an believe) to beat chooks they can pack their bags week 1.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Ricky and Uncle Wayne say hi...
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Dare I say that a return to the classic, tried and true top 5 finals system would be the best for the game...? Realistically probably not; the game would never consider it, but a top 6 system definitely has merit. Week 1 Elimination Finals 3rd v 6th 4th v 5th Week 2 Minor Semi Final Winner of EF1 v Winner of EF2 Major Semi Final 1st v 2nd Week 3 Preliminary Final Loser of Major v Winner of Minor Grand Final Winner of Major v Winner of Prelim
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
You don’t get shafted every week. My god, wake up to yourself and get rid of the victim mentality. You lost to a better team. It happens. Move on and cop it sweet without immediately shrieking about the officials after every defeat.
KFar
Guest
No, the Broncos are average team at best. Warriors have had a good season considering.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Wow, settle down cobber. Fair enough if you don't like Cronulla but at least articulate why.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Yeah some good signs, hopefully Payten isn’t the only cause for the improvement. I think next year will be still heavily impacted by Covid though, likely with the Warriors playing in Aus again. But fingers crossed that won’t be the case.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
The finals are going to be very interesting - Penrith, Chooks and Storm looking very good with the Raiders and Souths a bit farther back but looking capable of causing upsets. I actually think the Raiders can beat the Storm and the Chooks in the finals in grinding low scoring matches but the Panthers are the unknown quantity. Their confidence is sky high at the moment and they don't look like losing a game before the finals. The team who finishes fourth is in for a tough first final against Penrith at their home ground.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I am..but never ever whinge, whine and sob about a referee when my teams not good enough.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Now that would be good to watch - would like to see the smug smiles of the Chooks wiped off their faces
Sharks found a penalty for nothing from Ref mate.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Good luck to your boys. I'd like a Raider v Souths (option 2 Melbourne) GF
danwain
Roar Rookie
Very clever
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Mate - you were in the contest for much of that game - and have been really competitive for the past 6 or 8 weeks - some really good signs for next year - and full marks to the coaching and playing staff - just hope all this COVID crap has gone by then
No mate. Two tw@ts. You and souvalis. Tw@t Twins.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
All good mate, they don’t understand our pain.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Sharkie never had control of it - touched his hand and then was slapped out. That’s how I saw it at the time anyway. But yes, the Warriors getting a 50/50 call their way is always lucky :).
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Problem now, top 8 secured, no point risking much for the next game - give chooks another easy run. Would be worthwhile putting in when they face Raiders as they'll meet then again in the EQF1. But likely, Sharkies, enjoy the win I think it's your last for the year.
Panana split
Roar Rookie
Warriors are an average team at best. In saying that F#ck you NRL and your BS officials
Rob
Guest
It’s in the Sharks hand and is slapped out by RTS? The winger didn’t fumble the ball in the act of catching it. RTS played at the ball? It wasn’t dropped in a tackle. I would love the Warriors to have won but I think that call was wrong definitely lucky for the Warriors.