Saturday has three NRL matches with the second game for Round 3 is between Cronulla Sharks and St. George Illawarra Dragons with the opening kick to commence at 7:00pm. The game is to be played at Remondis Stadium with the favourite for the match being St. George Illawarra Dragons. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Cronulla Sharks and St. George Illawarra Dragons.
WHERE AND WHEN: Remondis Stadium, Saturday 22 March 2014 Kickoff 7:00pm
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Odds Comparison:
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| Cronulla Sharks | 2.50 | 2.40 | 2.45 | 2.40 | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| St. George Illawarra Dragons | 1.55 | 1.60 | 1.57 | 1.60 | 1.55 | 1.55 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Preview:
It hasn’t been a good start to 2014 for the Sharks.
They took the field in round against the Titans minus both starting halves, Todd Carney and Jeff Robson who were out injured and during the match, lost Captain Paul Gallen for up to six weeks with an ankle injury.
The 18 – 12 defeat was made worse with the subsequent suspension of key forward Anthony Fifita after a dubious shoulder charge. He’ll be sorely missed again this week as he serves out the second and final week of that suspension.
The Sharks then faced the Dogs on Monday night in round two where the bad news continued, losing by 38 points, 42 – 4.
The Sharks were never in the hunt, trailing 22 – 0 at half time and only getting on the scoreboard in the final minute of the match.
The Sharks will welcome back Carney this week which is some good news as this week, in the local derby, they meet the Dragons who have registered two good wins over the Tigers and Warriors to start their season.
Former Melbourne five-eighth Gareth Widdop has been the centrepiece for the Dragons victories and in the two matches, has had a leading hand in most tries, scored one himself and is 100% with the boot from 13 attempts.
Last week the Dragons ventured to New Zealand were, despite starting outsiders, kept their impressive record over the Warriors intact and recorded a 31 – 12 victory.
The Dragons are making the most out a favourable early draw and building confidence. They should win this clash too and be three from three however; their real test will be in the following fortnight when they come up against Brisbane and then Souths.
Teams:
Cronulla Sharks:
1. Michael Gordon 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Jonathan Wright 6. Todd Carney 7. Daniel Holdsworth 8. Sam Tagataese 9. John Morris 10. Bryce Gibbs 11. Tupou Sopoaga 12. Wade Graham 13. Chris Heighington 14. Michael Lichaa 15. Tinirau Arona 16. Matt Prior 17. Siosaia Vave 25. David Fifita
St. George Illawarra Dragons:
1. Adam Quinlan 2. Brett Morris 3. Dylan Farrell 4. Gerard Beale 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Sam Williams 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Mitch Rein 10. Dan Hunt 11. Leeson Ah Mau 12. Ben Creagh 13. Trent Merrin 14. Bronson Harrison 15. Kyle Stanley 16. Joel Thompson 17. Michael Cooper 20. Jack de Belin 25. Jack Stockwell
News:
Cronulla playmaker Todd Carney says it’s stupid to suggest Andrew Fifita should be dropped like hooker Michael Lichaa because he’s leaving the NRL club.
Lichaa, who came off the bench to make his Sharks debut against Canterbury on Monday, announced this week he’ll move to Canterbury in 2015 and was subsequently dumped to reserve grade by coach Peter Sharp.
Lichaa is rated one of the best young players in the game, but Sharp decided it was not in the club’s interest to fast-track his development for the benefit of another team and recalled experienced Isaac De Gois.
Fifita, who serves the second game of a two-match suspension when the Sharks play St George Illawarra on Saturdary, has also agreed to join the Bulldogs next year, but Carney says their cases shouldn’t be compared when it comes to team selection.
“Andrew has played for Australia, won a World Cup, played Origin, he’s proved himself as a first-grader over the last few years,” Carney said on Friday.
“Michael’s new into first grade and he’s going to get his chance. It’s stupid for people to say the club should drop Andrew…”
“I’ve spoke to Michael and he’s sweet.”
Carney makes his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury against the Dragons and vowed to turn around Cronulla’s poor form.
The Sharks have been without a raft of top-line players for the opening two rounds, copping defeats to the Gold Coast and Canterbury.
Skipper Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis and Anthony Tupou and Jeff Robson and Beau Ryan all remain sidelined through injury, so the return of Carney is a much-needed one.
“I’ve done everything for the last week-and-a-half now and the body is feeling good and I’m ready to go,” he said.
“I hopefully can bring a bit of direction and get my hands on the ball. A local derby is always a bit of a bash-fest so as long as we can kick and complete our sets we’ll be a good chance.”
New five-eighth Gareth Widdop has been a major factor in St George Illawrra’s unbeaten start to the season and the joint-venture can ensure their best start since 2010 with a win at Remondis Stadium.
Carney’s been impressed with his opposite number Widdop and believes keeping the Englishman quiet will be the key to stopping the Dragons.
“He’s a class player and brought a new dimension to to his game,” he said.
“He’s their go-to man and playing some great football at the moment.”