The first of the NRL Round 3 matches today is between Cronulla Sharks and New Zealand Warriors. The game is set to commence at 2pm local time with the match to be played at Sharks Stadium in Cronulla. Home team Cronulla Sharks are the current favourites for the match. View or preview and teams for the game between Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors.
Round: Round 3, Sunday, 2pm
Stadium: Sharks Stadium
Odds:
Cronulla Sharks $1.40 vs New Zealand Warriors $3.00 at Sportsbet Australia
Cronulla Sharks $1.41 vs New Zealand Warriors $2.95 at Luxbet Australia
Preview:
Watch Out Sharks: The Warriors are wounded, they’ve been woeful at times but they are far from washed up in 2013. They possess a line-up capable of causing significant damage, and there are plenty of reasons to suggest it’s a case of when, not if, the side gels and strings some solid periods of form together.
That could all start now – especially when considering their team has the most effective offloads-conceded statistic of any team in the NRL (just 4.5 per match), potentially a big factor against a Sharks team with a strong desire to promote the footy.
Watch Out Warriors: The shackles are off, it seems, and the Sharks are prepared to throw caution to the wind and chance their arm at almost any given opportunity. Take last week against the Rabbitohs for example, when the Sharks threw 21 offloads (a category they’re leading in 2013 with an average of 16 per game). With the dark clouds of the drug investigation still hanging over their heads, it’s almost impossible for the Cronulla game plan to be picked to pieces by the Warriors – with all the ongoing drama, what the Sharks team dishes up remains a mystery until game day!
Plays To Watch: Legendary workhorse Paul Gallen (NRL-high seven offloads) getting himself involved – and sometimes in the way – on almost every second Cronulla play; Shaun Johnson’s hopeful hop, skip and a jump before the line a-la Benji Marshall; Michael Gordon’s breakneck-speed ball-running brilliance from the back (161 metres a match so far); Pita Godinet pirouetting from dummy-half close to the Sharks’ tryline – a move that has directly and indirectly resulted in multiple Warriors four-pointers in 2013; Andrew Fifita bull-dozing his way over the top of defenders (125 metres on average) and even closer to a NSW Origin jersey; Feleti Mateo (six offloads so far) impersonating Inspector Gadget and popping the seemingly impossible pass.
Key Match-Up: Todd Carney v Shaun Johnson. With less-celebrated, less-dangerous and more predictable halves partners, the attacking games of these two teams revolve around one man in their line-up. Cronulla’s No.6 Carney is the ace in the Sharks’ pack, and Johnson, the Warriors’ No.7, the man the visitors will turn to.
Carney’s form has been solid so far – he’s already kicked two 40/20s (most in the NRL) – but if Cronulla are to feature in the finals more will be expected of him with the ball in hand (he’s yet to register a line-break or line-break assist in 2013). Johnson, meanwhile, has also been a touch on the quiet side, although he scored a great try last week against the Roosters. When’s he’s hot, he’s scorching… but can he recapture the sort of form that led his team to the 2011 Grand Final?
Whichever one of these attacking dynamos takes the game by the throat will lead their team to victory.
Where It Will Be Won: For the Sharks, it’s all about their mental preparation and focus – they have the team and experience to go deep into the finals if they keep their heads during arguably the toughest time in the club’s history – and for the Warriors it’s about all that and more, too.
Their approach has been off the money in recent weeks, and Matt Elliott and his team have no excuses, really. Sure, they’re a tad short of cavalry, but their on-field efforts thus far reflect a lack of effort and intensity. With a greater focus – and a willingness to improve on a league-low bunch of statistics like line-breaks conceded (6.5 per match) and metres gained (1143 per match) – they’re a decent chance of causing an upset here. Especially if the Sharks, understandably, enter this clash a tad distracted again.
The History: Played 30; Sharks 15, Warriors 14, drawn 1. At Sharks Stadium, though, the ledger is firmly in Cronulla’s favour, the home side winning nine of the 13 clashes played there.
Match Officials: Referees – Adam Devcich & Henry Perenara; Sideline Officials – Nick Beashel & Jason Walsh; Video Referees – Shayne Hayne & Luke Patten.
Televised: Fox Sports 1 – Live 2pm.
Teams:
CRONULLA SHARKS:
Michael Gordon, Jonathan Wright, Ricky Leutele, Matthew Wright, Beau Ryan, Todd Carney, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, John Morris, Ben Ross, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen
Interchange: Chris Heighington, Jon Green, Jayson Bukuya, Anthony Tupou, Sam Tagataese (one to be omitted)
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS:
Kevin Locke, Glen Fisiiahi, Dane Nielsen, Konrad Hurrell, Bill Tupou, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Elijah Taylor, Ben Matulino, Steve Rapira, Simon Mannering (C), Todd Lowrie
Interchange: Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Pita Godinet, Ben Henry (one to be omitted)
