Sharks v Cowboys: Tricky treat for home fans; Nanai, Neame add punch
No strangers to facing off in finals - both the Sharks and Cowboys will be hoping to shake off their most recent form in this elimination final.
The Sharks come into this game having lost four of their past five games - with their win in Round 25 against the Titans also seeing them have to fight back from a poor 16-8 deficit in the first half to claim the win.
Last round, they had victory stolen from them in the final seconds, with the Storm producing a try of the year contender to snatch the win.
For the Cowboys, it has been an inconsistent season overall, with some highlight wins like taking down Penrith in a milestone match for Jason Taumalolo and record lows like their 82-12 loss to the Roosters.
Last round, they were outplayed and out-enthused 50-30 by a Raiders side with nothing to lose, so will be looking to aim up for this must-win clash.
The two clubs have plenty of post-season history as well, so will be aiming to reset their campaigns and claim another win against their finals rivals.
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Sharks
5th Position
away Team
Cowboys
8th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Sharks: A blow for the Sharks on Friday with bench utility Hohepa Puru dropping out due to illness. His place is taken by his brother Niwhai. No further changes were made 90 minutes from kickoff. Playmaker Braydon Trindall will have his shoulder heavily strapped but he is ready to tackle the Cowboys after missing the last two games. Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey, KL Iro and Teig Wilton are all back on deck after a rest in Round 27. Prop Tom Hazelton has served a one-game ban for dangerous contact and returns on the bench. The Sharks have won 14 of their last 17 games against the Cowboys.
Cowboys: John Bateman starts in the second row in a game day switch, with Jeremiah Nanai back to the bench. Sam McIntyre was added to the interchange on Friday in place of Thomas Mikaele. A win at the judiciary for the Cowboys with co-captain Reuben Cotter getting a downgrade on a careless high tackle charge and copping a fine rather than a ban. Prop Griffin Neame (toe), back-rower Jeremiah Nanai (knee) and winger Zac Laybutt (concussion) all return so Coen Hess and John Bateman slide to the bench. Winger Braidon Burns will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Riley JonesCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL IroCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Zac Laybutt
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho HynesHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Cowboys is number 8 Griffin Neame
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Jesse ColquhounProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Cowboys is number 15 John Bateman
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy BurnsInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Cowboys is number 21 Sam McIntyre
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Toby RudolfReserve for Cowboys is number 18 Kaiden Lahrs
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Niwhai PuruReserve for Cowboys is number 19 Ethan King
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won 14 of their last 17 games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have won two of their last three finals games against the Sharks in Sydney.
- Since their premiership win in 2016 the Sharks have won only four of their last 15 finals games.
- Cowboys winger Braidon Burns will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Sharks winger Sione Katoa requires one try to reach a century of NRL tries.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
