The Cronulla Sharks will be looking to extend their winning streak in Round 23 at Southern Cross Group Stadium when they play hosts to a North Queensland Cowboys side desperate to stay out of contention for the wooden spoon.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Cronulla Sharks
Coming off the back of a grinding, confidence-building victory against the Melbourne Storm in Round 22, the Sharks will be looking to carry their momentum into this clash with the Cowboys. A victory on Saturday night would elevate the boys from Cronulla into the top four and place them in a great position just three weeks out from the finals.
North Queensland Cowboys
Despite defeating the Brisbane Broncos in Round 22, the Cowboys still remain 15th on the NRL ladder and are on equal competition points (14) with the last placed Parramatta Eels. With only three games remaining in their 2018 campaign, the Cowboys will no doubt be determined to continue their winning ways to give champion Johnathan Thurston a positive farewell.
SQUAD NEWS
Cronulla Sharks
The injury sustained in Round 22 by Wade Graham (knee) has prompted coach Shane Flanagan to elevate Scott Sorensen into the second row and recall Kurt Capewell to the interchange bench.
North Queensland Cowboys
In a big blow for the North Queensland Cowboys, an injured Matt Scott (neck) has been replaced at prop by Scott Bolton. John Asiata has been named to replace the suspended Jason Taumalolo. In further changes, Ethan Lowe and Francis Molo have been elevated from the reserves list to the interchange bench.
PREVIEW
For the Sharks to come over the top of the boys from North Queensland, it is imperative that they use their tenacity and strike power to turn the match into an arm wrestle. Getting out of the blocks early and capitalising on their attacking opportunities will be the best way for the Sharks to rattle the Cowboys. Given the wealth of talent within the Cowboys’ roster, it is vital that the entirety of the Sharks’ pack stays switched on for 80 minutes and eliminates any potential defensive lapses. From an attacking perspective, the performances of forwards Andrew Fifita and Matt Prior are very important. Their prolific try scoring backline will be only be given a license to roam if the middle-men make it their intent to dominate the ruck, make effective use of their footwork and create opportunities for offloads.
Off the back of a dominant performance against the Brisbane Broncos, the Cowboys will no doubt be determined to make it two on the trot to eliminate their chances of securing the wooden spoon come season’s end. Whilst the losses of Matt Scott and Jason Taumalolo will make their trip to the Shire all the more difficult, they cannot be written off just yet. It is important that Jordan McLean, Scott Bolton and John Asista step up in the absence of Scott and Taumalolo and make use of their increased opportunities. Halves Jake Clifford and Johnathan Thurston, together with fullback Te Maire Martin, have the potential to halt the Sharks’ charge to the top four if they use their experience and clever kicking game.
KEY STAT
Of the 45 occasions on which the Cronulla Sharks and the North Queensland Cowboys have met, the Sharks have managed to muster 27 wins.
SQUADS
Cronulla Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sosaia Feki, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Josh Dugan, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Luke Lewis, 12 Scott Sorenson, 13 Paul Gallen. Interchange: 14 Kurt Capewell, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Aaron Woods, 17 Jason Bukuya. Reserves:18 Joseph Paulo, 19 Ava Seumanufagai, 20 Wade Graham, 21 Sione Katoa.
North Queensland Cowboys: 1 Te Maire Martin, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Justin O’Neill, 4 Kane Linnett, 5 Gideon Gela-Mosby, 6 Jake Clifford, 7 Johnathan Thurston, 17 Scott Bolton, 9 Jake Granville, 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 John Asiata. Interchange: 14 Ben Hampton, 15 Francis Molo, 16 Corey Jensen, 18 Ethan Lowe. Reserves: 19 Kyle Laybutt, 20 Shaun Fensom, 21 Enari Tuala.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Saturday, August 18 2018
Venue: Southern Cross Group Stadium
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEST)
WHO WILL WIN?
Whilst the Cowboys will show plenty of fight, expect the Sharks to capitalise on the absences of Matt Scott and Jason Taumalolo and run over the top of the boys from North Queensland.
