Both these teams will be burning to bounce back after last-start defeats, the Warriors blowing an early lead against the Titans and the Sharks run off the park by Penrith.
Cronulla's loss came after three straight wins, over bottom-eight sides the Bulldogs and Titans and an injury-hit Manly outfit. This is another game they'll be expected to win but the Warriors have been gutsy this year despite seemingly everything going wrong for them off the field.
The New Zealand outfit has won two of its past five matches, and looked red hot early on against the Gold Coast with skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scoring his first try of the year in probably his best attacking performance of the season. They'll be backing themselves to go one better against a beatable Sharks team.
Match: Warriors v Sharks
Round 10 -
home Team
Warriors
13th Position
away Team
Sharks
9th Position
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
The Rundown
Team news
Warriors: Warriors coach Todd Payten has reshuffled his forward pack an hour before kick-off. Jack Hetherington (No.15) will start at lock with Karl Lawton moving into the second row and Eliesa Katoa dropping back to the bench. Five-eighth Kodi Nikorima returns from a head knock in place of Chanel Harris-Tavita.
Lachlan Burr and Adam Pompey dropped off the reserves list on Saturday. The Warriors have won three from three at Central Coast Stadium this season.
Sharks: Bryson Goodwin is out of the Sharks team, with Josh Dugan moving into the centres and William Kennedy (No.20) to start at fullback. In another change to the initial team named on Tuesday, Scott Sorensen will start at lock with Toby Rudolf to come off the bench.
Ronaldo Mulitalo is back from a knee injury. Siosifa Talakai will play despite suffering a head knock last weekend. Billy Magoulias and Nene Macdonald dropped out of the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off.
The Sharks have defeated the Warriors in five of their past six meetings.
Match: Warriors v Sharks
Round 10 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-SheckFullback for Sharks is number 20 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 David Fusitu'aWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Patrick HerbertCentre for Sharks is number 1 Josh Dugan
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Peta HikuCentre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Shaun Johnson
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake GreenHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownProp for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Adam BlairProp for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Karl Lawton2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
-
Lock for Warriors is number 15 Jack HetheringtonLock for Sharks is number 15 Scott Sorensen
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 11 Eliesa KatoaInterchange for Sharks is number 13 Toby Rudolf
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Agnatius PaasiInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Connor Tracey
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Isaiah Papali'iInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa Talakai
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jazz TevagaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Royce Hunt
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck v Josh Dugan. Tuivasa-Sheck is renowned for his flair and speed but he hasn't been afraid to do the dirty work this season, frequently helping out his injury-hit forward pack with hit-ups early in sets.
This week he comes up against another well-credentialed No.1 with a strong running game, with Dugan the kind of experienced campaigner capable of leading the Sharks out of their middling form this season.
Stat Attack
In a badly beaten team, Josh Dugan's performance at fullback provided a rare highlight last weekend. The one-time representative star ran for a team-high 151m against Penrith, with bench back Nene Macdonald the only other player to reach triple figures.
