The surging Warriors will host the Sharks on Sunday with all eyes on Shaun Johnson.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
New Zealand Warriors Vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Date: Sunday July 16, 2:00pm (4:00pm NZ time)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Josh Curran 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Tom Ale 17. Dylan Walker 18. Kalani Going 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Taine Tuaupiki 22. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Viliami Vailea
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Wade Graham 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Jack Williams 17. Jesse Colquhoun 18. Connor Tracey 19. Kayal Iro 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Braydon Trindall 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Sunday’s triple-header begins with the New Zealand Warriors hosting the Cronulla Sharks at Go Media Stadium, with both teams coming off decisive wins last week and looking to solidify premiership credentials on the run into September.
It was a particularly important win last weekend for the Warriors, who climbed back to sixth after a disappointing loss last time out at this venue. They absolutely demolished an understrength Eels side, but more pleasing was the fashion they did it playing away from New Zealand.
The Warriors’ attack was blistering, running in eight tries in their 46-10 victory, which included a Luke Metcalf double in his best performance in the NRL to date, ripping apart the Eels’ defence. It would have also been pleasing for coach Andrew Webster that whilst Shaun Johnson was again very good, it was his supporting cast that really shone brightly. It is especially important this week if Johnson is a late withdrawal due to the birth of his second child (with Webster saying he will possibly pull Johnson mid-game if he plays); the Warriors will be confident in grabbing a win back at home.
Meanwhile, the Sharks have had three huge wins in a row – albeit over the bottom three teams in the competition – and will face a much sterner task across the ditch. This match can go a long way to quietening doubters who believe the Sharks can’t beat the top teams, which their record in the Hynes era supports.
The Sharks seem to love playing the Warriors, with 10 wins from their past 13 against them, but did fall 32-30 in a classic earlier this season thanks to a late Johnson penalty goal.
The Sharks head in with an unchanged 17 and once again will rely on the magic of halfback Hynes as well as the attacking weapons in their backline.
Hynes was in superb touch last week, effortlessly registering three try assists whilst being involved in most other scoring chances. Against the Warriors the last two seasons Hynes has revelled, and led the Sharks to scoring 29 or more points in each matchup. He will again be the deciding factor in the Sharks hopes of getting a rare victory against a top eight team, which will be harder playing away from home.
There is very little doubt this game will come down to the halves and it’s likely a superstar that will get his team the two points. With Johnson in a fair bit of doubt to take the field, it likely swings the pendulum into the Sharks’ favour, making it their game to lose if Johnson is unable to play. It certainly shapes as one of the matches of the round and one to clear the calendar for.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Sharks 7 Warriors 3
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sharks by 10 points.
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