NRL Match Preview: Round 27 v Sea Eagles

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Sat 7 Sep 2024, 01:59 PM

The Sharks will aim to rev up for the finals with victory over arch-rivals Manly to finish the regular season on Sunday.

A parochial Brookvale crowd will greet Cronulla at a sold-out 4 Pines Park, with the Sea Eagles desperate to secure a home playoff next week.

However, the Sharks are just as eager to claim the Steve Rogers Memorial Trophy in honour of a club legend and bring crucial momentum into week one of the finals.

By the time kick-off rolls around, Cronulla will know whether a win will lift them into third position depending on how the Panthers fare.

While the Sharks have triumphed in their past two matches on Manly's turf, the Sea Eagles boast an 81% win rate against the Sutherland Shire men at home.

It's been a fortress in 2024 for Anthony Seibold's troops, who have lost just one of nine games in front of their northern beaches faithful. But with an impressive 7-4 record on the road this year, Cronulla won't be daunted by the challenge.

"It's obviously a good test for what's coming in the finals," centre Kayal Iro said.

"We're going to go into the game with the same mentality every week – to do our best and get a win. Hopefully, it can get us a bit of momentum going into finals."

Prop Tom Hazelton added: "It's the Steve Rogers Cup this weekend too, so I'm sure there will be a lot to play for for both teams and it should be a good fixture."

Finals fever is starting to sweep across the rugby league community, but Hazelton was adamant the Sharks aren't worrying about anything bar the Sea Eagles.

"It's exciting," he said.

"It's just around the corner and we're all really looking forward to it, but we have a job to do against a team playing for a lot this weekend.

"They're a good side no matter where you play them, but they get an extra leg up when they play at home. I'm sure they'll be raring to go and we're excited."

In team news, Kiwi international winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has reclaimed his place after a knee injury at the expense of rookie Sam Stonestreet. Centre Jesse Ramien is back from a one-match ban, with Dan Atkinson shifting to the bench.

Utility forward Siosifa Talakai remains on the extended bench, along with Jayden Berrell, as he closes in on a return from a calf complaint.

The Sea Eagles will be without star fullback Tom Trbojevic (shoulder) and winger Jason Saab (ankle). As a result, speed machine Tolu Koula will line up in the No.1 jersey while Clayton Faulalo has nabbed a place on the flank.

Trbojevic's absence is an undeniable blow for Manly given they've won just 35% of games without him (compared to 61% of games with him) since the start of 2020.

"They're going to be good regardless of who they put out there," Sharks second-rower Briton Nikora cautioned. "Their team is stacked with high-quality players, so we just need to make sure we stick to our game plan and do our jobs."

Kick-off on Sunday is at 2pm, with live coverage on Foxtel and Kayo.

See the updated 24-hour team lists below.

Round 27 - Round 27 - Sunday 8 Sep

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tolutau Koula

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Clayton Faulalo

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tommy Talau

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Matthew Lodge

Prop for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Karl Lawton

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Ben Trbojevic

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Josh Aloiai

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan Brown

Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Siosifa Talakai