For those Sharks fans unable to travel south to Melbourne to see the NRL Sharks tackle the Storm, why not take in the action of the Sharks v Wyong Roos NSW Cup clash before adjourning to Sharkies Leagues Club to watch the Melbourne match live on the big screen?
A game crucial to the NSW Cup Sharks chances of qualifying for the upcoming finals, the Cronulla side will appreciate any support it can get in their bid to beat off the challenge of a much-improved Roos outfit on Saturday.
The Sharks will go into the match without a number of their regulars due to the injury toll affecting the NRL squad, however their stocks have been bolstered by the addition of eight Storm players under the reciprocal arrangement they enjoy with Melbourne.
Currently eighth, with the Newtown Jets and Roos hot on their heels, a victory is imperative if the Sharks hope to defend their 2013 crown over the coming weeks.
NSWRL.com has produced its weekly match preview, with the Sharks v Roos to kick off at 3.00pm at Remondis Stadium on Saturday.
Summary:
Eighth hosts tenth here in a match that may make the top eight jigsaw puzzle look a little clearer come full time.
A win to the Roos would see them join the Sharks on 26 competition points, although they would still sit behind them due to their inferior for and against, while a win to Cronulla would all but end the Roos season, and perhaps mean that the Sharks would only need to win one of their final two games to be safe.
The Sharks put in perhaps their most disappointing display of 2014 last round when they were never really in the contest against a rampant Knights outfit, while Wyong kept their season alive with a 40-18 win over Canterbury, which was more dominant than the full time score might have you think.
The Roos season did appear to be over a few weeks back when reigning VB NSW Cup Player of the Year, Mitch Williams, was ruled out for the reminder of the year. But as fate might have it, this injury forced Rip Taylor to have to reshuffle his backline, and it appears to be paying dividends with Mark Kheirallah’s move to fullback looking an inspired one.
The former Jet was brilliant from the back last week for the Roos, while stop gap half Brock Molan also stood up to be counted when it mattered most.
The Sharks will carry a near unchanged side into this clash, so Tony Herman will be looking for more from his troops than what they gave him last Saturday in the Hunter.
Backrow Bandits:
One of the exciting aspects to watching Wyong play recently is the form of their backrow. Tekina Vailea and Vaha Pulu are two of the more destructive runners in the VB NSW Cup, particularly close to the line, while Zane Tetevano has been close to Wyong’s best over the past month. If the Roos are to keep their season alive this Saturday, it will most likely be off the back of these three and the hardworking Magnus Stromquist.
Prediction:
The Roos have been good the past few weeks but surely the Sharks can’t afford to drop this one at home. Sharks by 8.
Cronulla Sharks Vs Wyong Roos
Remondis Stadium, Saturday, August 16
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Ashley Klein
Entry free to Remondis Stadium
NRL Match – LIVE at Sharkies from 5.30pm
