The Benji Marshall era began with a loss last week and the job won’t get any easier in Round 3 as the Wests Tigers take on an in-form Sharks side who have started two from two.
While there were some positive signs – most notably the performance of five-eighth Lachlan Galvin on debut and evidence of further growth from fullback Jahream Bula – the joint venture was guilty of revisiting some of the old habits which have dogged them for the past few years in a 32-12 loss to the Raiders.
They’ll need to have that cleaned up before facing Craig Fitzgibbon’s men at Leichhardt Oval, after they punished the Bulldogs for similar shortcomings last week in an eventual 25-6 win, which was led by a standout performance from halfback Nicho Hynes.
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The Wests Tigers have a poor record against the Sharks of late and have tasted victory just once in their last 11 games against them, while Cronulla have won in each of their two most recent visits to this week’s venue.
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Team News
Wests Tigers: No late changes, with PNG powerhouse Justin Olam to play his first game for his new club after overcoming a knee injury. Veteran playmaker Aidan Sezer has been promoted to start the game at No.7 with Jayden Sullivan shifted to the bench. Asu Kepaoa is the 18th man.
Sharks: Jack Williams comes into the starting side for Briton Nikora, who will miss two games due to suspension, while Royce Hunt returns after missing last week's game due to a virus and joins the bench. The squad is as named on Tuesday by coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
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Stat Attack
- The Sharks have not been beaten at Leichhardt Oval since 2014.
- The Wests Tigers play their first game at Leichhardt since their 66-18 defeat of the Cowboys in 2023.
- Sharks winger Sione Katoa has scored five tries in two games against the Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers winger Charlie Staines has scored seven tries in three games against the Sharks.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.