Sunday’s NRL Finals 2017 match is between Cronulla Sharks and the Nth Queensland Cowboys. The opening kick is set to commence at 16:10 local time with the game to be played at Allianz Stadium. The home team Cronulla Sharks are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Cronulla Sharks and the Nth Queensland Cowboys.

When: 16:10 | Sunday 10/9/2017

Where: Allianz Stadium

Preview:

The Sharks and Cowboys share some finals history, apart from both being the most-recent premiers. One has ended the other’s season in a sudden-death final in three of the past four years – most recently, the 2016 titleholders taking out the Cowboys in the preliminary final. Cronulla have been disappointing at the back end of the season, winning just two of their past five, although one of those was against North Queensland. They have Origin duo Wade Graham and Jack Bird back from injury while Andrew Fifita and skipper Paul Gallen love the big stage. While there’s no Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott or Justin O’Neill, the Cowboys at least retain the same side from last week in an injury-ravaged season and they’ll look to in-form back-rower Jason Taumalolo to lead the charge. With a woeful record at Allianz, losing their past seven including five finals, they’ll need him and more.

Key: Can the Cowboys carry their late-season resilience into the finals?

Tip: Sharks

Odds:

OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!

Tip: Cronulla Sharks $1.34

Value BET: First Try Scorer – Gerard Beale at $11.00

More Info:

Head to Head: Sharks 27 Cowboys 16

Last clash: Round 24, 2017 – Sharks 26 bt Cowboys 16 at 1300Smiles Stadium.

Tab Sportsbet: Sharks $1.35 Cowboys $3.30

FootyTAB: Cowboys +8.5

Teams:

Sharks:

1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jack Bird 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Gerard Beale 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen 14. Jayson Bukuya 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jeremy Latimore 17. James Segeyaro 18. Kurt Capewell 19. Fa’amanu Brown 20. Jesse Ramien 21. Joseph Paulo

Cowboys:

1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Michael Morgan 8. John Asiata 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Ben Hampton 15. Coen Hess 16. Corey Jensen 17. Shaun Fensom 18. Ray Thompson 19. Kyle Laybutt 20. Braeden Uele 21. Enari Tuala

NRL News:

Brisbane great Gorden Tallis admits the Broncos will need to produce something special to win without skipper Darius Boyd.

Fullback Boyd on Wednesday said he was not going to rush a return from a hamstring complaint after endorsing Kodi Nikorima as his replacement for Friday night’s NRL qualifying final against Sydney Roosters.

Boyd said he would not know if he was closer to returning until he began running at training next week.

But ex-Broncos skipper Tallis admitted someone would need to stand up in Boyd’s absence if Brisbane were to keep alive their quest to claim their first title since 2006, ending the six-time premiers’ longest drought.

“They can win but it is going to be hard,” he said.

“It will need a super performance from someone like Sam Thaiday, Ben Hunt or Anthony Milford.

“Every now and again a young kid emerges as a superstar but finals is about your big players stepping up.”

Boyd suffered the injury in the last round win over North Queensland.

He and fellow hamstring casualty Tevita Pangai Junior underwent hill runs away from training on Tuesday in a sign the pair may return sooner rather than later.

Tallis even boldly claimed at an NRL finals launch on Wednesday that Boyd would play against the Roosters despite not being named in Wayne Bennett’s 21-strong squad for the blockbuster.

Boyd said he was keeping his fingers crossed that he would only be sidelined for one game.

“At this stage I am doing pretty well but won’t know until I start running properly next week,” he said.

“I have not put too much pressure on myself.

“I would obviously love to be there being the captain but I am confident in the squad.

“I am not too worried. I will just try to get ready and get back as soon as I can.”

Asked about Tallis’ brave call about playing the Roosters, Boyd laughed: “Definitely not.

“It’s disappointing. I would love to play obviously.

“But we have had a few injuries this year in key positions and I think we have covered them well.

“It’s been a massive squad effort this year and we will need it again on Friday night.”

Boyd and Pangai Junior will join hooker Andrew McCullough (knee) and prop Korbin Sims (arm) on the sidelines.

Asked if he would be available next week, Boyd said: “I would like to think so but hammies are strange ones.

“They can feel good but still need another week.

“Ideally I would like to be back next week but if we win we have a week off so I won’t have to worry about it.”