Sharks v Wests Tigers: McInnes to start; Turuva to fullback
After scoring more than 30 points - and still losing - the Sharks will be hoping to tighten their defence when they host a high flying Wests Tigers.
Cronulla were out-pointed 46-34 in a high-scoring shootout in Townsville against the Cowboys last week with KL Iro scoring a hat-trick in a losing cause.
Coming up against a Wests Tigers outfit that have the second best defensive record in the league, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon will be hoping his charges are committed to the cause in what shapes as a tough encounter.
Wests Tigers bounced back from a one-point loss to Brisbane in Round 7 to post a strong 33-14 win over last year's minor premiers the Raiders, highlighted by a Adam Doueihi double.
However, the Sharks have an enviable home record, so the visitors will have to be on their game if they are to come away with the spoils.
Match: Sharks v Wests Tigers
Round 9 -
home Team
Sharks
9th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
3rd Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Sharks: Cam McInnes has been elevated to the starting side after making his comeback from an ACL injury via the bench last week. Briton Nikora has also been promoted to start in the back row with Billy Burns moving to the interchange. Experienced big man Braden Uele is part of the six-man interchange as he chases just his third NRL appearance of the season.
Wests Tigers: Sunia Turuva takes over at fullback from Jahream Bula, who aggravated a shoulder injury against the Raiders. Jeral Skelton comes in on the wing. The loss of Api Koroisau to suspension brings Tristan Hope in for his second game of the season while Kai Pearce-Paul (head knock) is replaced by Tony Sukkar. Winger Faaletino Tavana has overcome a hamstring injury to earn a spot on the interchange alongside Latu Fainu.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Sunia Turuva
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Mawene HirotiWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Jeral Skelton
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Taylan May
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL IroCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel StonestreetWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Luke Laulilii
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam Doueihi
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Tristan Hope
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby RudolfProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Tony Sukkar
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jesse ColquhounInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jock Madden
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy BurnsInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
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Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Royce Hunt
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa PuruInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Latu Fainu
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Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Braden UeleInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Faaletino Tavana
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Riley JonesReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Patrick Herbert
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Niwhai PuruReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Bunty Afoa
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Chris Vea'ilaReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Charlie Murray
Sharks Ins
- Braden Uele
- Chris Vea'ila
- Niwhai Puru
Wests Tigers Ins
- Bunty Afoa
- Charlie Murray
- Faaletino Tavana
- Jeral Skelton
- Latu Fainu
- Tony Sukkar
Sharks Outs
Wests Tigers Ins
- Apisai Koroisau
- Jahream Bula
- Kai Pearce-Paul
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won their last five games against the Tigers at Ocean Protect Stadium.
- Wests Tigers have the second best defensive record in the competition.
- The Sharks have won nine of their last 10 games on home soil.
- The Tigers have made the best start to a season in their history after eight rounds.
- Sharks fullback William Kennedy has scored five tries in seven games against Wests Tigers.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
