Youth, experience, skill set, size and body type, in 2022 the Sharks may have almost all bases covered when it comes to their back row options.
While they may only have a handful of specialist edge back rowers on their roster for 2022, it is a diverse and talented group, one capable of providing some x-factor out wide and defensively handling whatever their opponents might throw at them.
Wade Graham returns following a 2021 season cut short by repeated concussions and after a strong summer on the training paddock and no lingering effects from the head knocks that kept him sidelined last year, look for the Sharks skipper to again re-establish himself as one of the most skilful backrowers in the NRL.
Graham’s regular partner for the past three years has been Kiwi Briton Nikora, the Māori All Star formed a strong combination with Shaun Johnson and will be aiming to strike up something similar with newcomer Nicho Hynes and whoever is anointed as his halves partner.
Nikora runs ‘strong lines’ as they would say in coach-speak, hits hard in defence and has established himself as a New Zealand international and quality NRL player in his three full seasons in the top grade.
Without pre-empting coach Craig Fitzgibbon’s thoughts, Graham and Nikora may well be his first choice back row paring, although young gun Teig Wilton may have something to say about that before the season gets underway.
Versatile, an outstanding defender and more than capable with ball in hand, a former NSW Under 20’s captain Wilton has class, quality and youthful exuberance and is one to keep an eye on through the pre-season trials and in the early rounds. From what he showed last year, a spot for Wilton will need to be found somewhere in the Sharks 17.
Of a different shape, size and skill set is the hard-charging Siosifa Talakai. A suspension and injury limited his opportunities to an extent in 2021 however Talakai’s potential is limitless, he strikes fear into the opposition whether carrying the ball or as a defensive hit man, and how he fits into Fitzgibbon’s plans remains to be seen.
Talakai will also come into consideration as a middle forward option, and so too Jack Williams, another reliable and important member of the Sharks squad.
Williams enjoyed perhaps his best and most consistent season in Sharks colours in 2021, handing in some eye-catching performances while playing a role in the back row. He has the leg speed to be effective either in-close or out wider, with Williams another set to throw a selection spanner in the works before season 2022 gets underway.
Quality rather than quantity might best describe the group of back rowers available at the Sharks for the upcoming season, with coach Fitzgibbon having some interesting decisions to make come round one.
