The Sharks’ Women’s Series side is preparing to battle the South Sydney Rabbitohs in what is shaping up to be nail-biter tomorrow night at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
Cronulla and South Sydney share a history of close encounters, with their last three contests boiling down to crucial plays within the final minutes. Last time the sides met, the Sharks clawed back from a 10 – 0 deficit to steal a sweet 11 – 10 victory in the closing seconds.
Sharks Head Coach Jason Stanton said that tomorrow’s contest promises to be just as exciting.
“The Rabbitohs have a large contingent of Indigenous All Stars representatives. They also defeated us in the final of the Central Coast 9’s,” Stanton said.
“We can expect another instalment of a growing rivalry between two of the best women’s teams in Australia.”
This week, the Sharks welcome back Australian Jillaroo, Ruan Sims, who in recovering from injury takes the field as captain, with Jessica Sergis to line up in the centres in place of Shontelle Stowers, Cronulla’s leading point scorer currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Young gun Quincy Dodd is set to make her debut on the interchange after playing out an impressive season with the Club’s Tarsha Gale Cup side, Allana Ferguson and Botille Vette-Welsh will combine in the halves, while Talesha Quinn and Sims are expected to drive Cronulla’s forward pack.
Stanton indicated that his squad has been training well in the lead up to tomorrow night’s clash. While the contest will no doubt be physical and tough, Cronulla will compete with confidence, having won five of six games in 2017.
“The squad will be looking to move the ball around to test the Rabbitohs defence,” hinted Stanton. “We can expect a great battle with the experienced Souths forwards. The contest up front will be a big factor this game.”
Cronulla Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Thursday, June 7
Southern Cross Group Stadium
Kick-off - 6:45pm
Cronulla Sharks Team List
1. Corban McGregor
2. Jordan Baker
4. Kate Mullaly
5. Botille Vette-Welsh
6. Allana Ferguson
8. Rima Butler
9. Nita Maynard
10. Ruby Ewe
11. Kaarla Cowan
12.Talesha Quinn
13. Ruan Sims ©
18. Rebeka Lally
20. Jessica Sergis
21. Lisa Tauariki
23. Quincy Dodd
South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List
1. Lavina Omealy
2. Nakia Welsh
3. Rebecca Riley
4. Shanell Dargan
5. Karri Doyle
6. Kyara Nean
7. Courtney Tallon
8. Chloe Leupepe
9. Mary Taupau
10. Alexandrea Kiriwi
11. Maleanna Waters
12. Chloe Caldwell
13. Bianca Lantin
