The poor start to the 2014 season continued for the Sharks last week, who were handed a 30 – 0 defeat by the Knights at Newcastle.

It means the Sharks are still looking for their first win and in much need of a spark, given that they’ve only produced a total of 28 points from their first four rounds and as yet, haven’t registered more than 12 in any one game.

$250 Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors FREE BET

They were never in the hunt last week in what was always going to be a tough challenge, facing the Knights who had experienced an emotional week due to the serious injured suffered by Alex McKinnon however, it will not get any easier for them this week despite returning to Remondis Stadium, as they face up against an improving Warriors outfit.

As if there wasn’t enough for the Sharks to concentrate on, it was also revealed earlier in the week that Andrew Fifita’s departure at the end of the season to the Bulldogs is no more.
Canterbury have withdrawn their offer with Fifita now to explore further options – an unwanted distraction to say the least.

The Warriors first two games this year, against Parramatta and Dragons, resulted in poor performances and sixteen and nineteen point losses respectively.
They turned it around against all expectations in Townsville but toughing out a 20 – 16 win over the Cowboys before starting to shown signs of their true potential last week with a 42 – 18 win over the Tigers.

Two tries ten minutes other side of half-time gave the Warriors the break they needed and they finished the game off on a high, scoring three times inside of the last ten minutes.

The Sharks have everything to play for here. They hold a 4 – 0 record over the Warriors since 2011 and with Manly and the Roosters waiting for them in rounds 6 and 7 respectively, they can’t afford another loss.

The Sharks’ two efforts at home this year have been their better games and resulted in narrow losses to the Titans (12 – 18) and St. George (12 – 14)

The Warriors’ record on the road last year (4 – 8) makes it hard to tip them with any great confidence by with two wins behind them now and the ability to score points compared to the Sharks who appear to be struggling in that department, if the Warriors were even going to break their runs of outs against the Sharks, you’d think this would be it.

TIP: WARRIORS -4.0

Odds Comparison:

Cronulla Sharks	2.40	2.37	2.50	2.37	2.40	2.40
New Zealand Warriors	1.60	1.60	1.55	1.60	1.60	1.60

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Teams:

Cronulla Sharks:
Michael Gordon, Nathan Stapleton, Blake Ayshford, Ricky Leutele, Jonathan Wright, Todd Carney, Daniel Holdsworth, Andrew Fifita, John Morris, Bryce Gibbs, Matt Prior, Wade Graham (c), Chris Heighington. Interchange: Isaac De Gois, Tinirau Arona, Sam Tagataese, Siosaia Vave, Tupou Sopoaga

New Zealand Warriors:
Sam Tomkins, Glen Fisiiahi, Dane Nielsen, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino, Jayson Bukuya, Simon Mannering, Sione Lousi. Interchange: Jacob Lillyman, Suaia Matagi, Feleti Mateo, Thomas Leuluai, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Raymond Faitala-Mariner