Sharks v Tigers: Hunt joins bench; To'a in for Roberts
If not for a last-minute try by Canberra's Hudson Young in round one the Sharks would be undefeated in 2022 and setting the pace alongside premiers Penrith.
With Nicho Hynes settling seamlessly into the halfback role, Matt Moylan in dazzling form at five-eighth and their forwards running hard and hitting hard, the Sharks have been a revelation in the opening month.
In stark contrast, the Tigers are 0-4 and still rueing the one that got away on the Gold Coast last Thursday when a try to AJ Brimson off a flukey kick in the 80th minute saw the Titans steal victory.
Things don't get any easier for the embattled Tigers as they confront a form team and a hostile crowd at PointsBet Stadium, where the Sharks are 2-0 this season and revelling in being back in front of their passionate fans.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Sharks v Wests Tigers
The Rundown
Team news
Sharks: Royce Hunt and Jack Williams have been added to the bench 24 hours before kick-off with Aiden Tolman and Braydon Trindall dropping out. There were no further changes in the final game day 17.
Matt Ikuvalu (ankle) and Connor Tracey (groin) remain out with Siosifa Talakai keeping his spot in the backline after a strong performance on the left edge.
Wests Tigers: Centre James Roberts was ruled out the day before the game with fullback Daine Laurie joining him in the final game-day 17 with Starford To'a moving to fullback, Luke Garner to centre and Tom Mikaele added to the bench.
Jock Madden remains in the halves alongside Luke Brooks with Jackson Hastings another week away from a return from suspension. Kelma Tuilagi has been included in the back row after failing a HIA last week but was cleared to face the Sharks.
Match: Sharks v Wests Tigers
Round 5 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Wests Tigers is number 18 Starford To'a
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Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
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Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Oliver Gildart
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Wests Tigers is number 16 Luke Garner
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Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
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Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt MoylanFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jock Madden
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby RudolfProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 James Tamou
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob Liddle
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-UeleProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Zane Musgrove
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale FinucaneLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Cameron McInnesInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tyrone Peachey
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew FifitaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal
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Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Jack WilliamsInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
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Interchange for Sharks is number 21 Royce HuntInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 20 Thomas Mikaele
Reserves
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Replacement for Sharks is number 19 Mawene HirotiReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Jake Simpkin
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Briton Nikora v Luciano Leilua: The Sharks back-rower was one of many star performers against the Knights, running for 157 metres and working the house down in defence with 42 tackles. Leilua can drift in and out of games but against the Titans he was at his damaging best with 124 metres and four tackle breaks, doing all in his power to get his team across the line.
Stat attack
The Sharks have racked up 26 line breaks in the first four rounds, with Sione Katoa (5), Matt Ikuvalu (3) and Ronaldo Mulitalo (3) leading the way. The Tigers have made just 13 line breaks across four games and are sorely missing the creativity of Adam Doueihi who is out with a long-term knee injury and suspended playmaker Jackson Hastings.
