PointsBet Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 15 NRL game between Cronulla Sharks and Dolphins. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Cronulla Sharks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Cronulla Sharks vs. Dolphins game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday June 13, 2024 at 7:50 pm
Where: PointsBet Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Cronulla Sharks vs Dolphins Odds
Cronulla Sharks vs Dolphins Preview
Its a top-four showdown to kick off the round, but it doesnt quite have that feel given Cronullas and the Dolphins recent stumbles.
The Sharks bounced back from horrible back-to-back losses to Penrith and Parramatta with a gutsy 22-12 comeback upset of Brisbane last Saturday, despite the absence of NSW No.7 Nicho Hynes.
Hynes returns this week, with Braydon Trindall retained in the halves over Daniel Atkinson. Its a huge game for Hynes under pressure to retain his Blues spot while Jesse Ramien is auditioning for an Origin debut.
The Dolphins went into the Round 14 bye on the back of two straight losses, a 24-20 defeat to severely depleted Warriors side and a 26-25 golden point loss to the Raiders at home.
The Dolphins changes from Round 13 see Origin pair Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi return, along with injured Kodi Nikorima at the expense of Anthony Milford.
The Sharks will have harsh memory pangs from their only meeting with the Dolphins to date, a 36-16 Magic Round thrashing at the hands of a team inspired by debuting centre Valynce Te Whare.
This is only the Dolphins third interstate trip of 2024, coming away with a big win over the Eels in Darwin before their unsuccessful Auckland venture. The Sharks will be eager to atone for their 42-0 defeat to the Panthers in their last home outing after starting the year 4-0 in the Shire.
The Sharks best should be too good for the visitors, but this shapes as being closer than the line suggests with the Dolphins only losing by more than four points once since Round 1. Nikorima is a big in, taking a big chunk of playmaking pressure off young gun Isaiya Katoa.
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Cronulla Sharks vs Dolphins Tip
We're tipping Cronulla Sharks to win at $1.33 odds.
Cronulla Sharks vs Dolphins Teams
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Royce Hunt 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Samuel Stonestreet
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Kenny Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Tesi Niu 22. Trai Fuller