NRL Match Preview: Round 19 v Wests Tigers

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Thu 11 Jul 2024, 07:59 PM

Playing at PointsBet Stadium for the first time in a month, the Sharks are hellbent on kickstarting their momentum against Wests Tigers tomorrow night.

Despite a challenging stretch, Cronulla still sit in fourth position and are ready to convert a series of agonisingly close losses into decisive victories.

Having been edged out by four points or fewer at their past three starts, the Sharks are focused on coming out swinging against the 17th-placed Tigers, who pulled off a 32-6 upset when the teams met at Leichhardt Oval in Round 3.

Sluggish getaways have hurt the Sharks, conceding the first try in their past four outings, but coach Craig Fitzgibbon is adamant they aren't far off their best.

"It's been pretty clear for us at the start of games. We've just missed the kick on a couple of occasions there and then chased it down," Fitzgibbon said.

"What we have done, give or take the Penrith game (in Round 12) where we got completely outplayed, we've sort of hung in and found a way to dig in and fight and shown a lot of grit and toughness in those performances.

"Ideally, we need to control the game a little bit better. It's not a big solution, but you've got to get it done as well. Simply put, you can't give away silly penalties and drop the ball ... We feel like we're performing pretty strongly. It's close."

Hooker Blayke Brailey branded the run of tight defeats "frustrating" but backed Cronulla to regain their mojo with some minor mental adjustments.

"We're good in the second half but we can't rely on that," he said, underlined by the fact the Sharks have won all six games this year when ahead or level at halftime.

"If anything, it's probably just a mindset (change) to get a bit more revved up, a bit more energetic at the start and not leak cheap points."

Similarly, prop Tom Hazelton has total faith in the tide turning for the Sharks.

"It's a result-driven game, but a lot of our game is in the right spot," Hazelton said.

"Just little moments have been costing us, but everyone's working hard and looking forward to Friday night to hopefully turn things around."

It was a cruel blow for the Sharks when halfback Nicho Hynes suffered an ankle injury at training on Monday, leaving him facing eight weeks out after surgery.

However, it provides an opportunity for Daniel Atkinson to reclaim a halves spot alongside Braydon Trindall, who can stamp his authority as chief playmaker.

Atkinson, while only 11 NRL games into his career, thrived under pressure when he engineered a famous win over the Storm without Hynes in Round 10. He and Trindall then combined to beat the Broncos on the road last month.

"Atko is a natural right-sided player, slots in straight in there," Fitzgibbon said.

"Good right-foot kick on that side of the field, terrific defender. Atko's actually played left and right side, but we'll just leave Tricky (Trindall) where he is.

"They complement each other well."

Despite a hiccup earlier this year, the Sharks' best head-to-head record since 2015 is against the Tigers (10 wins from 12 games - 83.3%). Blowouts have been a regular occurrence, with the past five encounters decided by 24 points or more.

As well as Hynes being unavailable, Cronulla will line up without the suspended Siosifa Talakai and injured interchange forward Jack Williams (wrist sprain).

Teig Wilton will return to his usual second-row spot on the left edge while winger Sione Katoa has been named after missing last week due to HIA protocols.

The bench will feature Jesse Colquhoun, not seen in the NRL since September, Hazelton and recalled duo Toby Rudolf and Braden Hamlin-Uele.

For the Tigers, Alex Lobb has been listed on the flank with Solomona Faataape shifting to the centres to replace PNG international Justin Olam (knee).

The key for Benji Marshall's troops is hooker and captain Api Koroisau, with his opposite number Brailey all too aware of the crafty dummy-half's talents.

"We're definitely not going to take them lightly. They're such a great side," Brailey said. "They've got Api Koroisau, who is such a deceptive rep player in the middle.

"They've got threats all around the park, so it's going to make for a good matchup."

Kick-off is at 8pm. Secure your ticket HERE or catch the game live on Nine, Nine Now, Foxtel or Kayo. See the updated 19-man team lists below.

Round 19 - Round 19 - Friday 12 Jul

Full Time

Sharks

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Alex Lobb
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam Doueihi
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Solomona Faataape
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Royce Hunt

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 John Bateman
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jesse Colquhoun

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Heath Mason
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Reuben Porter
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 23 Alex Seyfarth