Monday only NRL match for Round 2 is between Canterbury Bulldogs and Cronulla Sharks with the opening kick to commence at 7:00pm. The game is to be played at ANZ Stadium with the favourite for the match being Canterbury Bulldogs. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Canterbury Bulldogs and Cronulla Sharks.
WHERE AND WHEN: ANZ Stadium, Monday 17 March 2014, Kickoff 7:00pm
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Odds Comparison:
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| Canterbury Bulldogs | 1.30 | 1.40 | 1.36 | 1.40 | 1.30 | 1.40 |
| Cronulla Sharks | 3.55 | 3.00 | 3.25 | 3.00 | 3.55 | 3.00 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Preview:
A quick starts by the Broncos last week, always had the Bulldogs playing catch up in their opening round.
The Bulldogs trialled 14 – 0 early and only got on the board five minutes before the break with Josh Morris crossing for the Bulldogs’ first try of the season.
Another try 15 minutes into the second half had the Bulldogs two points behind and well positioned for the remainder of the game but a spirited defensive effort from the Broncos, coupled with some poor option taken by the Bulldogs, prevented them from hitting the front.
Brisbane scored late to seal the victory 18 – 12.
The Sharks hosted the Gold Coast Titans in their season opener last Monday night and did so without play-maker Todd Carney who joined Jeff Robson, Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington on the Sharks’ injury list.
A list that now also has Paul Gallen’s name on it after the Captain injured an ankle just prior to half-time and will now be missing for up to six weeks.
The full casualty ward at Cronulla meant that, despite losing 18 – 12 to Gold Coast, there effort was a commendable one.
It will not get any easier this week though with the key forward Andrew Fifita, who on Tuesday confirmed he was off to, ironically, the Bulldogs next year, facing a possible shoulder charge suspension.
It’s been a tough off-season and a now; it’ll be a tough start for the Sharks given their depleted line-up.
If Canterbury can tighten up an uncharacteristically lose effort last week, they should be able to win this game in a good manner and cover the line.
Teams:
Canterbury Bulldogs:
1. Sam Perrett 2. Mitch Brown 3. Josh Morris 4. Chase Stanley 5. Corey Thompson 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Ennis 10. James Graham 11. Frank Pritchard 12. Tony Williams 13. Dale Finucane 14. Josh Jackson 15. Pat O’Hanlon 16. Tim Browne 17. David Klemmer 19. Moses Mbye
Cronulla Sharks:
1. Michael Gordon 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Jonathan Wright 6. Todd Carney 7. Daniel Holdsworth 8. Andrew Fifita 9. John Morris 10. Bryce Gibbs 11. Matt Prior 12. Wade Graham 13. Tinirau Arona 14. Isaac De Gois 15. Sam Tagataese 16. Tupou Sopoaga 17. Siosaia Vave 22. Chris Heighington
News:
Andrew Fifita is hoping to deliver an elusive NRL premiership to the Shire after confirming he’s leaving Cronulla to take up a multi-million dollar deal with cashed-up Canterbury.
With a young family to consider, the sought-after front-rower admits the $3.4 million offer was too good to refuse and the 24-year-old will joining the Bulldogs in 2015 on a four-year contract.
“I wasn’t the smartest kid in school and if it can help me get a start in life and get a house over my family’s head, I’m more than happy to help them out,” Fifita told the Seven Network.
Fifita said he “shed some tears” when he broke the news to teammates after the Sharks’ first-round loss to the Gold Coast on Monday night.
“I told them I didn’t want to leave but, at the end of the day, I’m looking to the future,” he said.
“But 2014 I’m a Sharks man … if Sharks fans have trust in me, I’m going to go out with a bang.
“They haven’t won a premiership and I just want you all out there to follow me and I’ll give it 100 per cent.”
Fifita’s first battle after settling his future is beating a shoulder charge charge at the NRL judiciary, with the Test prop facing two or three weeks on the sidelines for his hit on Titans winger David Mead.
“I really think I’m going to fight this because I don’t see it as a shoulder charge,” he said.
But if he contests the charge and loses, Fifita will be suspended for three games, leaving the Sharks without their two best forwards for Monday night’s showdown with the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
Skipper Paul Gallen was on Tuesday ruled out for up to six weeks with ankle syndesmosis – but the NSW State of Origin captain was relieved he wouldn’t be sidelined for longer.
The 31-year-old doesn’t need surgery and will be back in action in time for the mid-year Test against New Zealand on May 2 and also for the Blues’ Origin series opener on May 28.
And in further good news, Todd Carney is back for the Sharks with coach Peter Sharp naming the former Dally M Medallist at five-eighth after he missed the Titans defeat with a hamstring injury.