Friday’s NRL 2018 Round 16 match is between New Zealand Warriors and Cronulla Sharks. The opening kick is set to commence at 18:00 local time with the game to be played at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland. The home team New Zealand Warriors are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between New Zealand Warriors and Cronulla Sharks.
When: 18:00 | Friday 29/06/2018
Where: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Preview:
Interesting game for the Warriors and I’ll be intrigued to see how the Warriors’ New Zealand players return from their Denver trip.
They’ll be looking to keep the momentum going however, when they face a committed and gritty Sharks outfit.
I don’t think the travel will hurt them as they are used to travelling regularly.
This game will be determined through the big bodies in the middle.
KEY BATTLE: Issac Luke v Jayden Brailey
Both teams have such big and mobile packs but it’s the two no.9s which I’ll be interested in.
Issac Luke has had a fantastic season and his team will need him more than ever.
As for Brayley, he for mine needs to start to offer more and ask more questions from acting half.
The Verdict
One thing to keep in mind is that everyone has had a good, well-earned break.
Traditionally the Sharks are great after a bye and I tip them to continue this form in a close one.
The Warriors have a 14-9 (60.9 percent) O/U record playing within its home state in night matches since 2014.
Unibet Odds:
New Zealand at $2.00
Cronulla at $1.83
Odds:
Tip: New Zealand Warriors at $1.87
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: David Fusitua at $10.00
More Info:
Teams:
New Zealand Warriors:
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 David Fusitua, 3 Anthony Gelling, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Gerard Beale, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 James Gavet, 9 Karl Lawton, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14 Sam Cook, 15 Tevita Satae, 16 Bunty Afoa, 17 Jazz Tevaga
Reserves: 18 Blake Ayshford, 21 Sam Lisone, 22 Albert Vete, 23 Peta Hiku, 23 Issac Luke, 25 Ken Maumalo.
Cronulla Sharks: 
1 Valentine Holmes, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Edrick Lee, 6 Matt Moylan, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 Jayden Brailey, 10 Matt Prior, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Scott Sorensen, 13 Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange: 14 Joseph Paulo, 15 James Segeyaro, 16 Aaron Woods, 17 Jayson Bukuya
Reserves: 18 Aaron Gray, 19 Avagalu Seumanufagai, 20 Sosaia Feki, 21 Braden Uele, 22 Kurt Dillon, 23 Kyle Flanagan.
NRL News:
Blake Green believes the Warriors will cope when their squad gets hit hard by the looming international rugby league weekend.
The fourth-placed Auckland club will field a team at close to full strength for Friday night’s NRL clash with North Queensland in Townsville, with only captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (ankle) in doubt.
It all changes two weeks later when the Warriors host Cronulla and are expected to be without numerous first-choice players.
They shape as the club taking the biggest hit from international duty, with up to 17 of their squad being potential Test players on June 23.
Seven of them might be on Kiwi duty against England in the United States, while 10 could be involved in the Samoa-Tonga clash on the same day in Sydney.
Coach Stephen Kearney has said he won’t consider selecting any Kiwis involved in the Denver Test for the Cronulla clash five days later.
That would shred the backline of talent. Tuivasa-Sheck, Peta Hiku, Gerard Beale and Shaun Johnson are all contenders to be named on Sunday night in New Zealand coach Michael Maguire’s squad.
Australian playmaker Green believed the Warriors had built sufficient depth to be competitive with a weakened side.
“We’ve had a bit of practice this year of having some key people missing,” he said.
“Roger and Shaun have missed some footy so we’ll be used to having some key individuals out.
“We’ve put ourselves in a position where lots of people in our squad have experienced first-grade footy.”
Green accepts he is likely to be a key figure against the Sharks but won’t change his game.
“It’s the same every week – it doesn’t really change too much,” he said.
“We’ve seen in the past that (half) Mason Lino’s come in and done a good job when he’s had to fill in.”
POTENTIAL WARRIORS INTERNATIONALS:
NZ: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Peta Hiku, Gerard Beale, Shaun Johnson, Adam Blair, Tohu Harris, Issac Luke.
Tonga: David Fusitu’a, Solomone Kata, Albert Vete, Agnatius Paasi.
Samoa: Ken Maumalo, Mason Lino, James Gavet, Bunty Afoa, Sam Lisone, Jazz Tevaga.