Round 1 Team Picker: Fans agree with Fitzy

Sharks supporters have weighed in on their ideal NRL line-up for Round 1 against the Warriors — and the results show they're on a near-identical wavelength to head coach Craig Fitzgibbon!

With five Zambrero burrito vouchers up for grabs, Sharks fans and Members were invited to select their 'Dream Team' from the current squad via an online form.

After tallying the votes, the most-requested team looks strikingly similar to the one that will run out at Go Media Stadium to face the Warriors on Friday night.

The fans' backline is the same as chosen by Fitzgibbon: Will Kennedy at fullback, Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo on the wings, Jesse Ramien and Siosifa Talakai in the centres and Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes as the halves.

There were only slight deviations from the official team in the forward pack, with voters wishing hulking prop Braden Hamlin-Uele, who is still recovering from a knee issue, was fully fit and able to take his place in the starting side.

Toby Rudolf was the supporters' pick as the other starting front-rower but has been named on the interchange in the actual Round 1 squad. Royce Hunt is set to start in reality but was voted on the bench by Team Picker players.

An abundance of talent in the middle forwards meant Oregon Kaufusi was unlucky to miss a spot in the hypothetical line-up despite being selected in the No.8 jersey to lay the platform in the season-opening clash in Auckland.

Fans and Members otherwise agreed with Fitzgibbon and his staff, settling on Briton Nikora and Teig Wilton as edge back-rowers, Cam McInnes at lock, Blayke Brailey at hooker and Jack Williams, Tom Hazelton and Dale Finucane to fill the bench.

Five lucky entrants have been drawn at random and emailed directly by Zambrero with details on how to claim their delicious free burrito. 

Stay tuned to our Sharks channels for more fun competitions during the season!

Team Picker results

Fullback: Will Kennedy
Wingers: Ronaldo Mulitalo, Sione Katoa
Centres: Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai
Five-eighth: Braydon Trindall
Halfback: Nicho Hynes
Props: Toby Rudolf, Braden Hamlin-Uele
Back-rowers: Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton
Lock: Cameron McInnes
Bench: Tom Hazelton, Royce Hunt, Jack Williams, Dale Finucane