Sunday’s second NRL Round 18 match is between Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights with the opening kick to commence at 15:00 local time. The game is to be played at Remondis Stadium which see’s away team Newcastle Knights hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights.
Where and when: 15:00 | Sunday 13/07/2014 @ Remondis Stadium
Preview:
What an unbelievable week it was for the Sharks.
A stunning win over the Broncos in round 16 after trailing 16 – 0 at halftime, was brought undone 48 hours by the Todd Carney scandal.
The day after that news broke, the interim Coach Peter Sharp stood down with his place being taken by the third Cronulla Coach of the season, Jamie Shepherd.
After this debacle and without Captain Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis, the Sharks were given literally now chance of defeating the Roosters last week, who gave the Sharks 22.5 points head start.
Twenty minutes into the game, it appeared that the line was going to be well and truly covered with the Roosters leading 18 – 0 and then 24 – 6 at the break.
Then, as they did against the Broncos, the Sharks came back on the field a different team – or did the Roosters? Either way, the Sharks recorded one of if not the most remarkable win in the Clubs history, winning 30 – 28.
After the last two weeks – both away and in the face of plenty of drama, who is not to the say the Sharks can’t record three in a row?
The play it at Remondis, have Gallen and Lewis named in the side to back up from Origin and take on the Knights, who like themselves, have struggled most of the year.
KNIGHTS
The Knights added to the Cowboys poor away record when they registered only their third win of the season in round 15, defeating the North Queensland side 36 – 28.
The consolidated that win by inflicting the first home defeated on the Parramatta Eels in round 16, 16 – 10.
The Knights hadn’t been far off the mark prior to these wins with three of their previous six games decided by less than four points but now that they’ve got the much needed confidence that comes after a few wins, they’ll be eye-balling three straight victories as well.
The Knights have gone with basically the same side that has been successful in recent weeks, including Origin winger Darius Boyd and second-rower Beau Scott both being named in the line- up.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sharks only win over the Knights in their past eight clashes was a one-point victory in 2013.
Outside of that, the Knights have dominated and they were able to keep the Sharks scoreless (30 – 0) when the sides met earlier this year.
In each of these games, three of which have been played at Remondis, the Knights have led at the break so the Knights halftime/fulltime double, could be the way to go again.
Despite this match being fourteenth versus sixteenth, with both teams coming of back-to-back wins, we should see an entertaining and close contest.
Teams:
SHARKS: Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Jonathan Wright, Ricky Leutele, Jacob Gagan, Fa’amanu Brown, Jeff Robson, Sam Tagataese, Michael Lichaa, Bryce Gibbs, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Pat Politoni, Siosaia Vave, Tinirau Arona, Anthony Tupou, Tim Robinson, Tupou Sopoaga.
KNIGHTS: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joseph Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Kurt Gidley, Kade Snowden, Adam Clydsdale, Willie Mason, Beau Scott, Robbie Rochow, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Tyrone Roberts, Chris Houston, Adam Cuthbertson, Korbin Sims, David Fa’alogo, Joseph Tapine.
News:
Cronulla’s man-of-the-moment James Shepherd created history in his NRL coaching debut on Saturday night, guiding the embattled Sharks to a win for the ages against the Sydney Roosters.
Twenty one years ago, Shepherd, as unheralded a player as he is a coach, also tasted success in his first start as a player.
Only it was for the Roosters against the Sharks.
Poetic irony aside – there’s a lot you can tell about this former high school teacher’s character, from the way he reflects on both achievements as player and coach.
Shepherd goes about his business with an unwavering modesty.
“To be honest I was basically a lower grade player that got a few opportunities,” Shepherd says of his playing career.
And of the role he played in guiding the Sharks through a tumultuous week to the equal biggest comeback win in NRL history, Shepherd says simply:
“It’s not about me.”
As a teacher and A-grade football coach at Marist College Kogarah until 2009, Shepherd mentored some future NRL stars like Keith Galloway, Daryl Millard and George Ndaira.
But when you’re in charge of a high school team, there’s no room for ego.
And Shepherd has taken that attitude to his various roles at Balmain and Wests Tigers, the Melbourne Storm, the Northern Territory academy and, since 2011, the Cronulla Sharks.
In a week where Todd Carney had been sacked and interim coach Peter Sharp had resigned – on top of all the issues the Sharks are facing – the team required a settling influence.
Shepherd gave voice to senior players Wade Graham, Jeff Robson and Anthony Tupou and kept the game plan simple.
“Once the distractions were out of the way, the theme was just get your head on football,” said Shepherd.
“Team first.”
Comforted by the professionalism shown by the players in training, Shepherd says he was relatively relaxed on game day, despite it being his first match in charge.
As Sharp’s assistant this year, Shepherd’s job at halftime had been to speak individually with players – but never had he delivered an address to a team as a first grade coach.
On Saturday, with his team down 24-6 to the defending premiers – Shepherd’s message was to slow the ruck speed down, work on field position and don’t forget about the previous week’s comeback miracle from 22-0 down to beat Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
When the final hooter sounded on a miraculous 30-28 win, Shepherd sat alongside football manager, and long-time friend Darren Mooney in the coach’s box – speechless.
“I didn’t react too much, I was just in disbelief about what was happening,” he said.
“I was a bit dumbfounded to be honest. I couldn’t believe what I was watching the last 35 minutes of the game. It was just hard to put in to words.
“I was just really happy for the players and for the team. Just really pleased they hung in and played for each other.”
Whether it’s Shepherd in charge or a third interim coach in three weeks, the Sharks need to harness that spirit from next round and beyond until Shane Flanagan returns.
