New Zealand Warriors
12
Match Complete
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
16
| 58 |  | N. Hynes | ||
| 57 |  | S. Talakai | ||
| 41 | | R. Mulitalo | ||
| 36 | | B. Trindall | ||
| 34 | | J. Ramien | ||
| S. Johnson | | 13 | ||
| L. Metcalf | | 12 | ||
| S. Johnson | | 9 | ||
| A. Fonua-Blake | | 7 |
| 2 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The first round of the NRL season continues tonight when the New Zealand Warriors take on the Cronulla Sharks at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores from 6pm (AEDT).
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has slotted in well at centre in the pre-season and halfback Shaun Johnson made a return from a calf injury.
But even though Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (hamstring) is out, RTS will not be switched to fullback with Taine Tuaupiki getting the start. Luke Metcalf has beaten Te Maire Martin to be Johnson’s halves partner.
Kurt Capewell has crossed the ditch to add starch to the pack while utility back Chanel Harris-Tavita and Jazz Tevaga have missed out on the 17.
Uncapped Warriors rookie Zyon Maiu’u was sent off for his high tackle that floored Wests Tigers centre Declan Casey in the trials and copped a four-game ban with a guilty plea.
Nicho Hynes was rested for the trial win over Canterbury with a thigh problem but is be right for Round 1 while Dale Finucane (calf) is also confident of tackling the Warriors.
Braden Hamlin-Uele is out with a knee complaint.
Game information
Venue: Go Media Stadium
Kick-off: 6pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Warriors $1.55, Sharks $2.45 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Dylan Walker 18. Adam Pompey 20. Jazz Tevaga 21. Te Maire Martin 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Jacob Laban
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Dale Finucane 15. Jack Williams 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Kayal Iro 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Daniel Atkinson 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Jayden Berrell
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Yeah Sharks win despite Rex Hunts efforts.if he doesn’t play Sharks win by plenty.Imagine the Score if AFB had R . Hunts jersey on
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Johnson had one of his rock’s performances unfortunately for the Warriors. Too many low percentage plays which can happen when he overthinks his game. Overall poor game from them in the second half but that was mainly due to a red hot defence that they were up against
Renegade
Roar Guru
What a game!! Built on absolute resilience and grit that :thumbup: well done sharkies! Comes back to those 7-8 sets between the 15th-25th minute of the game…. They didn’t let the warriors in during those 10 mins of the game, and then kept it that way for the next 55mins as well. Plenty would have buckled against the warriors dominance and momentum in that first half. Knock off the top 4 warriors in NZ -Great first round 1 win to build the season on, put the defensive ghosts of 2023 to bed… 2024 has arrived! Up Up Cronulla!
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Dumb Warriors - touch football mentality
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Nice to finally get one, sheesh
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
What a win. Kept them scoreless for 67 minutes. Proud of that effort.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Well done Sharks.. mammoth defensive effort.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Geez, choke of epic proportions there. Well done Sharkies.
steveng
Roar Rookie
That is just dumb play by the Warriors, that is the game for the Sharks, good win, Warriors don’t deserve to win.
Renegade
Roar Guru
What a tackle and what an effort…defence not a problem in 2024!! Cmon boys, 60 seconds to go!
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Heroic defence….. so far.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Not a penalty.., that’s a home crowd call
Renegade
Roar Guru
How good is Will Kennedy - mini peach!!
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Our last try came from Katoa making a huge break into their 20 and then finished off by Hynes, Talakai, Mulitalo. Nothing to do with the whistle.
Renegade
Roar Guru
For sure, imagine him on the other side right now…. No contest
Renegade
Roar Guru
Penalties are 7-6 and zero 6 agains for the sharks…so not really The one thing changing is the possession is evening up.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Most of the Sharks metres have come from the guy with the whistle. Warriors really need to be far more disciplined, they’re playing the best football but handing possession over in penalties.
Renegade
Roar Guru
This is so good… amazing to come back and be in front after that warriors onslaught. Cmon sharkies!!
steveng
Roar Rookie
Good solid try for te Sharks, the Warriors are becoming marshmallows :laughing: had so much ball and lead that if they lose this they are no chance this year.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I’m seeing a much better D than last year… Wilton, Talakai and Trindall doing far better than last years left edge. I am impressed with the defensive effort today, this lead is built on the back of it.