Young gun Fa’amanu Brown and strong running winger Jacob Gagan will make their NRL debuts in the local derby clash with St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium on Saturday night.
Brown fills the halves role left vacant by injuries to Todd Carney and Jeff Robson, while Gagan comes into the side due to the unavailability of Beau Ryan, Sosaia Feki, Jonathan Wright and Ricky Leutele, with all four set to miss the match due to injury.
Both have earned their opportunity in the top grade, with Brown a standout for the NYC Sharks so far in 2014 after earlier making an impression in the Auckland Nines tournament during the pre season.
As for Gagan, the former Australian Schoolboy and NSW 18's representaitve possesses good speed and is a competent finisher, having crossed for six tries in 10 NSW Cup games so far this season.
In addition to the two newcomers, coach Peter Sharp has been forced to make further changes, with Nathan Gardner also coming into the side at fullback, resulting in Michael Gordon shifting into the centres.
Sharks and NSW captain Paul Gallen will be missing with a neck problem, with the extremely capable Wade Graham to lead the side on Saturday.
In a positive for the Sharks, NSW back rower Luke Lewis returns, with his class, ability and experience to be an asset to the young players around him.
The Sharks play the Dragons at WIN Stadium in Wollongong, with the main game kicking off at 7.30pm. The two teams will play for the Monty Porter Sports Foundation Cup, with the trophy currently held by St George Illawarra.
NRL Team List – Round 13
Sharks v Dragons
June 6, 2014
WIN Stadium
Kickoff – 7.30pm
1 Nathan Gardner
2 Nathan Stapleton
3 Blake Ayshford
4 Michael Gordon
5 Jacob Gagan
6 Fa’amanu Brown
7 Daniel Holdsworth
8 Siosaia Vave
9 John Morris
10 Bryce Gibbs
11 Luke Lewis
12 Wade Graham (c)
13 Chris Heighington
INTERCHANGE
14 Isaac De Gois
15 Sam Tagataese
16 Tinirau Arona
17 David Fifita
19 Tupou Sopoaga
