Thursday’s NRL 2018 Round 2 match is between Cronulla Sharks and St George Illawarra Dragons. The opening kick is set to commence at 20:05 local time with the game to be played at Southern Cross Group Stadium. The home team Cronulla Sharks are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Cronulla Sharks and St George Illawarra Dragons.
When: 20:05 | Thursday 15/03/2018
Where: Southern Cross Group Stadium
Preview:
There’s always plenty of feeling in the Sharks v Dragons local derby and this one has added spice with Sharks centre Josh Dugan going up against his former club.
Dugan made every post a winner in his Sharks debut, scoring a try and showing he’ll be a major asset for the shire club.
Despite speculation he would be moved to fullback, Valentine Holmes has retained his spot at the back but speculation is rife that Dugan will switch back to no.1.
Holmes has been the 1st tryscorer in 2 of his last 6 appearances against the Dragons.
The Dragons have fared well against the Sharks and lead 10-6 since 2010 but the Sharks have won 3 of the last 5.
In 7 of the last 8, the home team has won the second half.
The Verdict
Should be an engrossing battle in the forwards with Andrew Fifita, Paul Gallen and the Sharks pack going up against the much-vaunted Dragons pack of James Graham, Paul Vaughan and Tyson Frizell.
Dragons enforcer Vaughan has crossed for a try in 4 of the Dragons last 5 matches as an underdog.
The Sharks’ record of 4-9 (30.8 percent) in March since 2015 is concerning, but the Dragons are just 4-14 (22.2 percent) as an away underdog in night matches since 2015.
Odds:
Cronulla Sharks 1.72 St George Illawarra Dragons 2.15
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $250 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Cronulla Sharks at $1.71
Value Bet: First Try Scorer: First Try Scorer: Aaron Gray at $15.00
More Info:
Teams:
Dragons:
Sharks: 1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sosaia Feki, 3 Josh Dugan, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Aaron Gray, 6 Matthew Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matthew Prior, 11 Jayson Bukuya, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Paul Gallen (c) Interchange: 14 Kurt Capewell, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Avagalu Seumanufagai, 17 Joseph Paulo Reserves: 18 Kurt Dillon, 19 Trent Hodkinson, 20 Jesse Ramien, 21 Jack Williams.
Dragons: 1 Matthew Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack De Belin Interchange: 14 Luciano Leilua, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Hame Sele Reserves: 18 Jeremy Latimore, 19 Zachary Lomax, 20 Reece Robson, 21 Blake Lawrie.
NRL News:
Cronulla NRL coach Shane Flanagan has fired another shot back at North Queensland’s Gavin Cooper, suggesting people will question his standing in the game if he continues to accuse the Sharks of dirty tactics.
Cooper caused a furore in Sharks territory on Monday when he claimed Cronulla defenders deliberately targeted and twisted the surgically repaired knee of Matt Scott in last week’s clash.
The Queensland State of Origin second-rower backed up his claims again on Tuesday night on Fox Sports, insisting he would not take the comments back despite denials from the Sharks.
But Flanagan said he’d closely reviewed the tape, and was still angered by what he claimed were baseless accusations.
“It’s really surprising it’s come out not once but twice,” Flanagan said.
“I do (take offence to it). It’s just ridiculous. His profile in the game – people are going to start to question him if he keeps trotting out stuff like that.
“As a club, we’re not happy about it.”
Scott’s appearance against the Sharks was his first competitive match in the NRL since a serious knee injury last year in round two.
He pulled up fine from the Cowboys’ six-point season-opening win and, when asked about the matter earlier this week, claimed he’d be tested, but “not targeted too much” and that he’d rather leave it on the field.
But Flanagan again maintained on Wednesday the Sharks had no tactics to attack Scott’s knees, and said they’d simply followed the conventional approach of every other team in the NRL.
“The Cowboys last year were No.1 in most-contact metres. If you don’t get into the legs of a player, a forward carrying the football, you’re going to be standing behind your goalposts,” he said.
“Every coach does it.
“We did it under the rules; there is nothing there sinister. Matt Scott got up every time and played the ball. He never complained once.
“We’re not going to go out there and try and get into his knees. That’s not going to happen.”
