With Jayson Bukuya given the green light after being cleared of a possible broken jaw, Sharks Coach Shane Flanagan has named the same 17 for the match against the competition leading Brisbane Broncos on Sunday.
Bukuya was the only injury scare to come from the victory over the Panthers and with the Sharks on a five-game winning streak, Flanagan’s selection of the same squad should come as no surprise.
However as good as the Sharks have been travelling, the Broncos have been playing equally as well and in the eyes of many are the standout performers through the first eight rounds of the season.
Ben Barba, playing his 150th NRL match, coincidently against his former club, will be keen for a big game, as will the likes of Andrew Fifita, James Maloney, Jack Bird and Wade Graham, with all being touted as possible State of Origin inclusions.
Their opponents the Broncos will be without regular hooker Andrew McCullough who strained a hamstring last weekend, while Adam Blair faces a possible suspension on a dangerous contact charge on Rabbits halfback Adam Reynolds. Blair will front the judiciary in an attempt to have the charge dropped.
The Sharks v Broncos clash is scheduled for a 4.00pm kick-off at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
With a large crowd expected, fans are encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets.
NRL TEAM LIST – Round 9
Sharks v Broncos
Sunday, May 1
Southern Cross Group Stadium
Kick-off – 4.00pm
1 Ben Barba
2 Sosaia Feki
3 Jack Bird
4 Ricky Leutele
5 Valentine Holmes
6 James Maloney
7 Chad Townsend
8 Andrew Fifita
9 Michael Ennis
10 Sam Tagataese
11 Jayson Bukuya
12 Wade Graham
13 Paul Gallen
Interchange
14 Gerard Beale
15 Chris Heighington
16 Matt Prior
17 Luke Lewis
