Wests Tigers
12
Match Complete
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
36
61 | J. Ramien | |||
A. Doueihi | 57 | |||
L. Garner | 56 | |||
54 | N. Hynes | |||
52 | B. Hamlin-Uele | |||
34 | N. Hynes | |||
23 | N. Hynes | |||
21 | K. Dykes | |||
20 | N. Hynes | |||
19 | R. Hunt | |||
A. Doueihi | 14 | |||
F. Brown | 13 | |||
11 | N. Hynes | |||
9 | M. Ikuvalu | |||
6 | N. Hynes | |||
5 | L. Miller |
2 | Tries | 6 | ||
2 | Conversions | 5 | ||
0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Cronulla continue their quest for a top two position and a home final, while Wests Tigers strive to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon in round 22 of the NRL. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm AEST.
Wests have been adept at disrupting finals-bound teams in recent weeks, with a moral victory in North Queensland followed by an actual victory over the Broncos in Brisbane.
Their return to NSW didn’t go so well and the absence of key playmaker Jackson Hastings was keenly felt in defeat to Newcastle last Sunday. They won’t disrupt the Sharks with a repeat of last week’s performance.
Cronulla’s been bubbling along nicely over the last two months, winning seven of eight, with the only stumble during this period a narrow loss away to the Penrith machine in round 19.
Nicho Hynes has deconstructed the halfback position, Ronaldo Mulitalo is flying, both literally and figuratively, and veteran Andrew Fifita seems to have supped from the fountain of youth. It’s hard to imagine them not steamrolling the holiday-bound Tigers.
While the Sharks start the round two points behind North Queensland and with a significantly inferior points differential, their top two hopes are very much alive. The Cowboys face the Roosters, Rabbitohs and Panthers on their run-in. The Sharks don’t and, while Manly and Canterbury could disrupt them, the Cowboys seem more likely to stumble.
In team news, Wests are without Ken Maumalo with James Roberts returning to the backline in his place. Cronulla are still without Matt Moylan but welcome back Dale Finucane from suspension. Lachie Miller will start in place of Connor Tracey who was badly concussed last weekend.
Prediction
While Cronulla’s been winning consistently, they’ve rarely been dominant and struggled to dispatch an insipid Dragons team last weekend. They’ll win but will probably only pull well clear in the last 20 minutes.
Cronulla by 24.
Kick-off: 5:30pm AEST
Venue: Scully Park, Tamworth
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Tigers $4.60; Sharks $1.20 – odds via PlayUp
Wests Tigers
1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. James Roberts 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Starford To’a 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Jock Madden 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Zane Musgrove 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Fonua Pole 15. Austin Dias 16. Thomas Freebairn 17. Tyrone Peachey 18. Luke Garner 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Brandon Tumeth 21. Junior Tupou 22. Justin Matamua
Cronulla Sharks
1. Kade Dykes 2. Lachlan Miller 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Kayal Iro 19. Royce Hunt 20. Luke Metcalf 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Matt Ikuvalu
Renegade
Roar Guru
Lol nah I’ve seen both their games against the broncs. :stoked: That said, tipping bunnies to win their next two.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Michael Morgan's got a lot to answer for. :happy:
JVGO
Guest
Shame for Toby. He's been really firing and leading the way.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
You think they're scary? Just wait until the Sharks play the Rabbitohs again. :stoked:
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
2-6 weeks potentially so let’s hope it’s closer to 2.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Agree, they need everyone fit and firing
Renegade
Roar Guru
Can’t afford another injury… and we will need Toby up front for the big games.
Muzz
Guest
Sharks were clinical. Secured the 2 points and move on to next round. They'll need to find another gear in the if they want to make the preliminary finals and potentially play in the grand final.
Renegade
Roar Guru
The only one I wouldn’t swap is the last game… roosters are looking scary.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Fingers crossed for Toby
Redcap
Roar Guru
Thanks, yes he did. I corrected that.
Redcap
Roar Guru
I finally got one right. Had to happen eventually I guess. Thanks for joining the blog, mate. Have a good one.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Good call David and thanks for giving me a fair rub of the green. That's rare and much appreciated. Cheers.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining The Roar this evening. Stick with us for coverage of Brisbane vs Newcastle with David Holden in just a few minutes time
Renegade
Roar Guru
You nailed the prediction David, I must admit I didn’t think they would win by that margin tonight with the outs. First half was on point, second half a little relaxed which can be expected with a big lead. Professional win in the end, the best part of it was the last 10 minutes… a man down and they defended their line without breach, even while 24 ahead - thats a coach pleaser! Anyways another win heading to September :thumbup: up up!
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Touché. Would you care to swap draws for the last 3 games? :silly:
Redcap
Roar Guru
FT’ Full-time in Tamworth. Cronulla has comfortably beaten Wests. They looked superior from very early on, winning the forward battle in the middle and troubling Wests' edge defence frequently, especially on Cronulla's right side. Hunt and Hamlin-Uele were very strong, while Nikora had some lovely touches out wider. Laurie was probably Wests' best, and Mu Brown had his moment in a well beaten team. Wests……........12 Cronulla...........36
souvalis
Roar Rookie
It's been junk for an hour to be honest.
Redcap
Roar Guru
80’ __ Junk time here in Tamworth. Hynes kicks on an early tackle and Kepaoa comes away. Doueihi puts a high ball into the Cronulla in-goal, it goes loose but is scrambled out of play by Ramien. That’s the game, folks. __ Wests…………..12 Cronulla………..36
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Yes, that old chestnut.