Cronulla face the unenviable task of travelling across the Tasman to take on the very much in-form New Zealand Warriors.
The Warriors have won four of their last five matches including a win over the Sydney Roosters and their last four matches at home, which include the scalps of Manly and last week, Melbourne.
After a slow start to the season, the Warriors are starting to gel and form a formidable side under the guidance of Matt Elliott. With a big and mobile forward pack and smart attacking backs the likes of Shaun Johnson, the Warriors can keep their momentum up and possibly enter the eight with a win here.
Cronulla, after a poor loss to Sydney in round 19 (40 – 0), bounced back with a good home win over Penrith last week 38 – 10.
Led by Todd Carney, the Sharks were near their best and dominated their opponents from the outset.
Carney is obviously the key for the Sharks and the Warriors big men will be keen to – and need to, shut the playmaker down
Cronulla sit in sixth spot on the ladder and just in advance of their opponents today and Newcastle (play Brisbane Friday night) and a loss here would see the Sharks placed precariously on the table with only a few weeks of the competition left.
This will be a good clash and Cronulla have registered wins the last three times these two sides of met, the most recent matches by big margins of 39 and 24 points.
This will be a closer than the current head to head market would suggest with so much on the line for both clubs but the home ground advantage and record, enough to see the Warriors home.
TIP: NEW ZEALAND 1 – 12
Odds comparison by NRL Odds:
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 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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| New Zealand Warriors | 1.42 | 1.45 | 1.42 | 1.45 | 1.42 | 1.46 |
|
Cronulla Sharks
|
2.95 | 2.75 | 2.95 | 2.75 | 2.95 | 2.88 |
Teams:
New Zealand Warriors:
Kevin Locke, Ngani Laumape, Dane Nielsen, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (capt), Elijah Taylor. Interchange: Suaia Matagi, Jacob Lillyman, Todd Lowrie, Dominique Peyroux.
Cronulla Sharks:
Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Ben Pomeroy, Jonathan Wright, Nathan Stapleton, Todd Carney, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, John Morris, Bryce Gibbs, Jayson Bukuya, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen (capt). Interchange: Isaac De Gois, Chris Heighington, Sam Tagataese, Ben Ross, Tyrone Peachey (one to be omitted).
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Gavin Reynolds.