New Zealand Warriors
18
Match Complete
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
16
| R. Walsh |  | 67 | ||
| E. Aitken |  | 60 | ||
| R. Walsh |  | 56 | ||
| R. Walsh | | 55 | ||
| 40 | | B. Trindall | ||
| 39 | | W. Kennedy | ||
| 37 | | B. Nikora | ||
| 28 | | B. Trindall | ||
| 27 | | C. Tracey | ||
| R. Walsh | | 4 | ||
| D. Watene-Zelezniak | | 3 |
| 3 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
It’s last chance saloon time for the New Zealand Warriors as they take on the eighth-placed Cronulla Sharks knowing only a win can keep their season alive. Tune in to this crunch match on the Gold Coast live scores on The Roar from 3pm (AEST).
The Warriors have dealt with more than any other NRL side throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; but against all odds, they have kept themselves in with a faint chance of finals ahead of the final month.
A thrilling 2-point win over the Tigers last week got them off to a great start in the post-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck era, but they’ll probably need to win all of their last four games to surge into the last eight.
Currently, that eighth spot is the Sharks’ to lose, though their Round 20 loss to the Sea Eagles leaves them only points differential ahead of the Raiders and Tigers. A loss here guarantees they’ll finish the round at least ninth, and with a final-round match against the Storm looming large, they’ll want to be safe and sound in the eight well before then.
Jesse Ramien returns in the centres for the Sharks, who are otherwise unchanged; while the Warriors welcome back Chanel Harris-Tavita, Matt Lodge and Addin Fonua-Blake from injury, but lose hooker Taniela Otukolo (knee).
Game information
Kick-off: 3pm (AEST)
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
TV: Fox League
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO
Betting: Warriors $3.10, Sharks $1.36 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
New Zealand Warriors
1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Peta Hiku (c), 4. Viliami Vailea, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Sean O’Sullivan, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Jazz Tevaga, 10. Matthew Lodge, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Josh Curran, 13. Bayley Sironen
Bench/Reserves: 14. Kodi Nikorima, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Kane Evans, 17. Eliesa Katoa | 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 20. Edward Kosi, 21. Jack Murchie, 22. Adam Pompey
Cronulla Sharks
1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Connor Tracey, 7. Braydon Trindall, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods (c), 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Siosifa Talakai, 13. Jack Williams
Bench/Reserves: 14. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 15. Royce Hunt, 16. Aiden Tolman, 17. Andrew Fifita | 18. Jonaiah Lualua, 19. Luke Metcalf, 20. Billy Magoulias, 21. Matt Moylan
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
With the NRL crackdown how does a guy reported 3 times and sin binned 2 times not get sent from the field . So much for that.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
You're welcome mate. Have one for me as well, I insist :stoked:
Jb
Guest
3 send offs*
Joshua Casaceli
Guest
Please get rid of chambers all 3 warriors try’s came off of one of his missed tackles same last week with manly
Phil
Roar Rookie
Geez DB, you just talked me into having a beer. Cheers.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I think we’ll know in the first 10-15mins if Manly are up for it. They have a tendency to make silly mistakes early if they’re not. I’m going in expecting a loss, but hoping they show enough promise to trouble the teams next week onwards. Last thing we all want is a blowout!
KFar
Guest
They put them on coming out of the tunnel, then have to put them off going back in....bit of a token effort.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Wait what………what?? I went out to wash the dog, we are leading 16-6 with 25 to go. No worries I think to myself, we should have this one wrapped up and I can watch the replay with a cold beer and warm fuzzy feeling tonight. Dog smells great, turn back on the trusty laptop and we have lost. What?? Congratulations to the Warrior faithful. Anyone who can weather 2 send offs and still get up deserves plaudits. I tip my hat to you all, here’s looking to next season and you blokes getting a good run of home games (hopefully). I guess the boys could start booking their tickets to Bali now except we will still be locked down by the end of year so I guess they can hit up Paul Vaughan to organise a BBQ instead. My beer is still cold but the fuzzy feeling is now gone. Still there is always next week. When do we play the Tigers?? Up Up
danwain
Roar Rookie
How are you feeling about tonight’s game ej? Hopefully going to be a cracker for the neutrals among us!
Renegade
Roar Guru
They deserve the win today mate… it’s all about 2022 now for Cronulla and a new halfback!
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Bit of a bug going around I’ve heard.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
I should be used to it but it only continues to astound me. The quality of reffing in general seems to be going backwards, but today was the worst I’ve seen for awhile. All this close games aren’t good for my heart.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Preaching to the converted there… I trust Fitzy has a plan for the halfback spot, I’d like to know what it is though!
eagleJack
Roar Guru
There were certainly some interesting calls during the game.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
At least! Maybe I'm biased sometimes, but today was a travesty. They do get some rough calls a lot though.
KFar
Guest
What is the point of the masks? :laughing:
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Humiliatingly in the battle of the remedials, the Sharks were outsmarted.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah mate a quality 7 is a must. The missing piece for you guys
Renegade
Roar Guru
Although that’s the 12th time this year that you’ve posted that about a ref…But congrats on the win, enjoy
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah, you’d have to scrap the sharks after that unless Johnson has a miracle recovery…