Ennis out of NRL All Stars
Sharks hooker Michael Ennis today officially withdrew from the NRL All Stars team for the game next Friday, with his place to be taken by Warrior number nine Nathan Friend.
Ennis has a minor calf strain, with Sharks coaching staff hopeful he will be right to take his place in the teams’ final trial match against the Wests Tigers on February 21.
Failing being ready for that match, Ennis will certainly be fit to take his place in the Sharks team for their season-opener against the Canberra Raider on March 8.
Wil Hopoate was another late withdrawal from the All Stars match, with Parramatta club mate Joseph Paulo his replacement.
Newcastle playmaker Tyrone Roberts and South Sydney forward Chris Grevsmuhl have been called into the Indigenous All Stars Squad with Chris Sandow and Tom Learoyd-Lars late pull outs.
Sharks Paul Gallen and Ben Barba will be on opposite sides, Barba for the Indigenous Team, Gallen the NRL All Stars.
The pair leave for camp on Sunday, with the match to be played at CBus Stadium on the Gold Coast next Friday.
The teams are as follows:
NRL All Stars: Matt Moylan, Manu Vatuvei, Jarrod Croker, Dylan Walker, Antonio Winterstein, Kieran Foran, Mitchell Pearce, James Graham, Nathan Friend, Jarred Waerea-Hargreaves, Beau Scott (capt), Jason Taumalolo, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Jesse Bromwich, Luke Brooks, Joseph Paulo, Trent Merrin, Corey Parker, Jeremy Smith, Dave Taylor
Indigenous All Stars: Greg Inglis, Alex Johnston, Will Chambers, Justin Hodges, Josh Hoffman, Ben Barba, Johnathan Thurston, George Rose, Ray Thompson, Ryan James, Tyrone Peachey, Sam Thaiday, Greg Bird. Interchange Tyrone Roberts, Chris Grevsmuhl, Dane Gagai, Kyle Turner, Jack Wighton, Kierran Moseley, Brad Tighe
Sharks teams to play Manly
The Shark shave announced a team which includes Ben Barba in his first outing in Cronulla colours for the trial against Manly on Saturday.
Barba will join the experienced Jeff Robson in the halves, in what is a strong Sharks line up despite the absence of a number of their senior players.
The trial against Manly kicks off at 5.30pm at Pittwater Park in Narrabeen and will be played in four quarters.
Prior to the main game the NYC Sharks will take on the Sea Eagles in an under-20’s trial match.
That game is scheduled to begin at 3.30pm.
For more on the Sharks NRL team and the squad list – CLICK HERE
For the Sharks NYC squad list – CLICK HERE
Sea Eagles strong line up
Meanwhile over the other side of harbour the Manly Sea Eagles have come up with a strong side for the trial clash with the Sharks.
Jamie Lyon will captain the team, one which also includes Brett Stewart, Daly Cheery-Evans and their new recruit for 2015 Willie Mason.
To see the team the Sharks are set to face on Saturday CLICK HERE for the link to the Sea Eagles website.
Jets to tackle the Cutters
The Sharks 2015 NSW Cup partners the Newtown Jets also have trials scheduled for this Saturday.
The Jets, who have sent up to 10 of their contracted players to the Sharks this weekend to take part in the Manly NRL trial, will play the Illawarra Cutters at Henson Park, with that match to get underway at 4.00pm.
For more on the Jets and for their trial team list - CLICK HERE
Junior Sharks in action tomorrow
The Sharks junior rep sides will also be in action Saturday, with the Matthews Cup and SG Ball teams to play Newcastle in their final trial matches before the start of the season proper.
The young Sharks tackle the Knights at Remondis Stadium, the under-16s Matthews Cup team playing at 3.30pm, with SG Ball at 5.00pm. Entry to Remondis Stadium is free.
Also scheduled for tomorrow are two Academy games against Bulldogs. These matches will be played at the new fields at Cronulla High School, with under 15’s beginning at 9.00am, followed by the under 17’s at 10.30am.
Boys take to the phones
Sharks NRL squad members Gerard Beale, Junior Roqica and Kyle Stanley took to the phones today to call 2015 members and thank them for their continued support.
The trio, who all played significant roles for the Sharks at the recent NRL Nines, got to quite a few Sharks members over the course of an hour from 12 noon today.
We’ve posted a couple of photos from today on our Facebook page - CLICK HERE to check them out or to leave a comment.
Rugby League in the media
How about 10 match officials for NRL games this season? May sound excessive to some, all we want them to do is to get the decisions right.
A trial with two extra touch judges will take place at the Charity Shield this weekend. See the Sydney Morning Herald report and see what you think about the radical move.
In other media, Sharks coach Shane Flanagan agrees he has some difficult decisions ahead in trying to come up with a 17-man squad for the round one match with the Raiders, with a number of the so-called lesser-lights putting forward a strong case for selection at the Nines last weekend.
And on Channel Nines news, Neil Breen put together a trial pre-game package that is well worth watching, featuring some training vision and interviews with Jeff Robson and Michael Gordon.
Flanagan ‘big decisions’ - Sydney Morning Herald – CLICK HERE
10 Officials per game – Sydney Morning Herald – CLICK HERE
Channel 9 – Wide World of Sport – CLICK HERE
