By Daniel Gray
Forwards: Matt Prior & James Tamou
After a great game against the Knights, Matt Prior will have to be at his best this Saturday when he faces what may be his toughest challenge yet in NSW front rower James Tamou.
Tamou’s efforts of late have been consistently improving. In a winning NSW Origin side he backed up his Game 1 performance with a strong showing in Game 2, with the Blues forwards physically dominating Queensland for a long period during the second meeting, where Tamou ran for over 100 metres and his ability to create offloads was key in the Blues victory.
His input will also be vital for North Queensland on Saturday as well.
As Prior continues his efforts with the goal of cementing a permanent place in the Sharks starting line-up, fans from both teams should look forward to this match as the physicality of both players will be on show. But the question will be, which player can provide their teams with the best go forward?
Wingers: Sosaia Feki & Matthew Wright
After making his debut for the Sharks in round 8, 2013 against the Newcastle Knights as a 21-year-old, Sosaia Feki will play his 50th NRL game up in Townsville. Although playing his mile-stone game away from home, Sharks fans will be cheering him on and hoping the team come back to the Shire with the two points.
A former Cronulla player himself, Matthew Wright will be looking to implement his authority over Feki, to show his former team what he is really capable of. After signing with the Cowboys in 2014, the 24-year-old outside back has been in good form lately with seven tries in 10 games this season and only three errors
When these two potent wingers face off late Saturday afternoon, it is sure to be one hell of a clash. Will Wright be able to assist his team in reaching 12 straight wins this season or will the power and skill of Feki overcome his opponent out wide?
Young halves: Jack Bird & Michael Morgan
Young Shark Jack Bird faces up against another young play maker this Saturday in Michael Morgan.
Bird’s team mates have said that one of his best attributes is his elusiveness when running the ball and with his skill the Sharks five-eighth will be out to test the Cowboys edge defence come Saturday afternoon.
Morgan faces a massive task this weekend. Not only is he returning from a week off due to a sore left shoulder, but he has been named at half-back to replace Co-captain Johnathan Thurston who will miss this game with his own injured shoulder. Morgan will also take have to take on the role of directing the Cowboys around the park. Is he up to the challenge?
With a fired up Sharks outfit along with a young five-eight who could be a candidate for rookie of the year in 2015, Morgan and the Cowboys will have to be at their absolute best if they are to stop the Sharks, let alone stop Bird’s scintillating form.
