In-form former Shark returns for Sunday blockbuster

As well as Nicho Hynes performed in his first game of the 2023 season in the Sharks big derby win over Dragons, across the ditch a former Cronulla star was equally impressive in guiding the Warriors to a victory over the Bulldogs.

Shaun Johnson, the Porter-Gallen Medallist as the Sharks best during the 2021 season, scored the match winner for the Warriors last weekend, with the Sharks wary of the impact the veteran half might have on their round five clash at PointsBet Stadium.

Ronaldo Mulitalo, while pleased his ex-teammate has returned to somewhere approaching his best form, stated that while pleased to see the resurgence in Johnson’s game, any friendships will be cast aside for 80-minutes when the teams run out on Sunday.

“He’s one of those guys who are really good for the game. I learnt so much from him, have so much respect and admiration for him,” Mulitalo said. “But we both know, Shaun and me, when we get into the arena it’s all on and all bets off.”

Matt Moylan, who partnered Johnson in the halves for much of his playing stint at the Sharks, expressed similar sentiments in regard to the Warriors number seven.

“Shaun is a really good player. Having played alongside him, I know what he’s capable of and he’s been really good to start the year,” Moylan said.

“We’ve got to limit the opportunities we give him and hopefully he doesn’t have too many highlights this weekend.”

But while due respect is being given to the visiting halfback, Sharks fans and NRL experts alike were in awe of the return Hynes made to the playing field after being absent for the opening three rounds of the season.

Mulitalo and backline partner Jesse Ramien were two teammates happy to sing the praises of Hynes for his first up performance and were looking to ride the ‘Nicho’ wave again this Sunday.

“We all know what sort of player he is, but to come back and put in a performance like that,” Ramien said. “It certainly makes my job and the jobs of others a lot easier.”

“To have a guy like that, full of confidence come back into the team and be a leader, was awesome. He’s always striving to be better, he doesn’t rest on his laurels. We’ve got to get on the back of his confidence and let him lead us,” Mulitalo added.

The Sharks come into the game on Sunday on the back of a 40-8 thumping of the Dragons, while adding to their confidence is a recent record against the Warriors which as seen them win 10 of the past 12 matches and overall 28 of the 46 games played.

At PointsBet Stadium, the Warriors have been successful on only five of 19 occasions, with the Sharks looking for a fourth straight win at the venue.

In 2022 the Sharks scored one of their most memorable wins, a 29-10 victory in a match where Will Kennedy was sent off in the 17th minute and the Cronulla side were reduced to 11-players at one point due to a sin-binning of Jesse Ramien.

While the Sharks racked up 40 points against the Dragons last week, conceding just eight which was the fewest since Round 24, 2022, the Warriors also enjoyed a win in round four, a 16-12 victory over the Bulldogs. They will aim to record four wins from five games to start a season for just the third time in club history.  

In player stats and milestones, in his first game of the season last Sunday night, Nicho Hynes had seven line break assists, Ronaldo Mulitalo had two tries against the Dragons and is looking to score in four straight matches, while Will Kennedy has five tries in the past three matches and is looking to score in a fourth straight match for the first time in his career.

An attacking weapon on the Sharks right edge, Briton Nikora has also scored nine tries in his past nine matches.

The Sharks were unlikely to make any changes to team as selected on Tuesday, with the final trimmed down squad of 19 to be announced at 4pm on Saturday, 24-hours prior to the game kick-off.

Only a limited number of tickets remain for the game this weekend, with fans looking to attend encouraged to pre-purchase to avoid disappointment.