NRL Match Preview: Round 6 v Sea Eagles

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Fri 11 Apr 2025, 02:59 PM

The Sharks and Sea Eagles will take their famous rivalry to the other side of the country on Saturday afternoon in the first leg of a high-powered NRL double-header at Optus Stadium.

24-hour squad update

The Battle of the Beaches will be staged on the banks of Perth's picturesque Swan River, with Cronulla eager to paint the town black, white and blue.

The Steve Rogers Memorial Trophy – named after the Sharks Immortal who was recently inducted into the club's inaugural Hall of Fame – is up for grabs along with two vital competition points as both sides look to steady their ships.

The Rabbitohs and Cowboys will also feature on the card with the NRL taking over Western Australia as the only major sporting code in town this weekend.

Interestingly, it's not the first time Cronulla and Manly have faced off in Perth – the Sea Eagles ran out 26-6 winners at the WACA in 1993.

In another footnote for stats lovers, this encounter doubles as the 100th first-grade clash between the clubs including three grand finals (1973, 1978 and 1978 replay).

With kick-off set for 1pm local time, a fast track conducive to ball movement is expected at the state's premier sporting venue.

That bodes well for Cronulla, who blew away South Sydney in their only afternoon game of 2025 in Round 3, producing two long-range try-of-the-year contenders.

Manly also boast a potent attack, having posted 40 points on two occasions this year. However, the continued absence of star fullback Tom Trbojevic with a knee injury is undoubtedly a blow for the visitors, who are licking their wounds after a 48-24 shellacking at the hands of the red-hot Storm on Sunday afternoon.

The scoreline marked the most points conceded by Manly since late 2022.

The Sharks are also in need of a bounce-back performance after consecutive losses to the Bulldogs and Raiders, the latter a heartbreaking 24-20 defeat in the nation's capital sealed by a last-minute Canberra try that bordered on miraculous.

"It was a tough one last week, but the beauty of rugby league is you learn your lessons and have another go the next week," Sharks captain Cam McInnes said.

"It'll be a really tough opposition on Saturday. They're coming off a loss as well, so we're expecting a fiery encounter and plenty of physicality. We're up for it."

The timely returns of second-rower Teig Wilton (illness) and bench forward Siosifa Talakai (concussion protocols) provide a shot in the arm for Cronulla. Wilton is set to lock horns with Manly's edge colossus Haumole Olakau'atu, who will play his 100th NRL game after turning in a destructive first half against the Storm.

After a strong effort last week replacing the injured Kayal Iro (hamstring), Mawene Hiroti will again line up at left centre for Cronulla. Hiroti scored the opening try when the Sharks last ventured west and beat the Rabbitohs 26-16 in 2023.

Players from each team are dominating the statistical charts, with Manly centre Reuben Garrick going into the round as the league's top point scorer.

Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has the second-most line-break assists in the competition (per the Fox Sports Lab), while Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab and fullback Lehi Hopoate lead the way for line breaks and run metres respectively.

Cronulla custodian Will Kennedy (four tries in five games v Manly) and flanker Ronaldo Mulitalo (five tries in his past five games v Manly) will fancy their chances of getting across the line after combining brilliantly at times already this season.

The match will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo (3pm AEST).

"It's probably the earliest game I've played since under 20s," McInnes said.

"It's good – you wake up and do what you need to do but then the game is on you straight away. Waiting around is never too much fun.

"Hopefully the weather's good – I think it's meant to be. It's going to be exciting."

See the updated squads below.

Round 6 - Saturday 12th April

Full Time

Sharks

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Lehi Hopoate
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Clayton Faulalo
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Mawene Hiroti

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 18 Tommy Talau
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Josh Aloiai
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jazz Tevaga
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nathan Brown
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley