Vodafone Warriors confirmed to line up 1-17 against Sharks
The Warriors will be riding high after snapping a seven-match losing streak by downing the Wests Tigers last weekend.
They're keen to carry on that winning feeling for another week as they face a Sharks side trying to re-group after letting Manly pile 24-unanswered points on them last round.
While the New Zealand club's horror run of injuries has led to their bowing out of the finals race in 2021, they're in the mood to stop other teams from getting there - notably the Sharks who are delicately poised in eighth spot.
Cronulla's coach Josh Hannay laid out the challenge after the 40-22 loss to Manly last week that a seventh year of finals football was in the Sharks hands - they had to keep winning their own games and not worry about anyone else.
The rundown
Team news
Warriors: The Warriors will run out as named on Tuesday, with Edward Kosi the 18th man.
Chanel Harris-Tavita (pectoral), Addin Fonua-Blake (finger) and Josh Curran (elbow) return so Eliesa Katoa goes to the bench.
Jazz Tevaga has been moved into the starting side at hooker with Taniela Otukolo sidelined by a knee injury.
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown was omitted from the reserves an hour before kick-off. Jack Murchie and Adam Pompey were omitted on Friday.
The Warriors are aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time in 2021.
Sharks: Jesse Ramien has been named to return from an ear infection while Luke Metcalf replaces Royce Hunt (birth of child) on the bench.
Matt Moylan (calf) was listed among the reserves but given his injury history, he won't be risked by Josh Hannay at this stage of the season.
Billy Magoulias is the 18th man, with Jonaiah Lualua dropping out of the squad on game day.
The Sharks have won eight of their past nine games against the Warriors.
Match: Warriors v Sharks
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Peta HikuCentre for Sharks is number 3 Will Chambers
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Viliami VaileaCentre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Connor Tracey
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Sean O'SullivanHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jazz TevagaHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matthew LodgeProp for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Josh Curran2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Siosifa Talakai
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Bayley SironenLock for Sharks is number 13 Jack Williams
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Kodi NikorimaInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Braden Hamlin-Uele
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Aiden Tolman
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Kane EvansInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Eliesa KatoaInterchange for Sharks is number 19 Luke Metcalf
Reserves
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Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Edward KosiReserve for Sharks is number 20 Billy Magoulias
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Matt Lodge v Aaron Woods: The Warriors will be on a high after last week and Lodge eager to lay the platform for back-to-back wins having missed the gutsy victory over Wests Tigers. Veteran front-rower Woods will be doing his best to keep Lodge in check.
Stat attack
Cronulla have had the better of the Warriors in recent years - in 16 meetings since 2012, the Sharks have only lost three times, with the heaviest defeat a four-point margin.
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