This weekend sees the Rugby League’s return and some of the game’s brightest prospects enter the spotlight.
Ahead of the weekend in Auckland, we cast an eye over our young Sharks you may not know much of.
Manaia Cherrington
Voted as the young star Sharks fans are most eager to see at the Nines, the young hooker from Whangarei joined the Sharks from the Wests Tigers this season, with the hope of playing regular first grade minutes.
A livewire by nature on the field, Cherrington will suit the Nines format, bringing energy around the ruck and the go forward needed in the shorter form of the game.
As the only recognised hooker in the Sharks squad travelling to Auckland, be sure to see Cherrington eat up the minutes and prove a threat at every and any time of asking.
Kyle Flanagan
A late inclusion to the 2017 Nines squad, Kyle Flanagan gets his first shot in the big leagues when the team travels to Auckland at week’s end.
Son of Head Coach Shane, Kyle will bring youth and exuberance to the Sharks side, along with strong organisational skills and kicking game to admire.
The halfback will play the bulk of the 2017 season in the NYC competition however the experience in Auckland will be invaluable for not only the youngsters development but the Sharks’ Holden Cup side prospects.
William Kennedy
A product of the Sharks junior representative system, William Kennedy took his game to another level with a shift from the halves to fullback throughout the 2016 NYC season.
His running style akin to that of a ‘glider’, Good judges have drawn comparisons to Sharks legend David Peachey, with his silky ball skills another strong component of his game.
Watch for Kennedy to feature in the Sharks quick backline shifts at the weekend.
Jayden Walker
A local product, Jayden Walker will make his first step into the senior ranks of the Cronulla Sharks at the Nines.
The strong running edge back rower, who came through the Sharks NYC program and progressed to the 2017 NRL squad, Walker will provide go-forward and a dangerous offload in a Sharks pack featuring the likes of Luke Lewis, Wade Graham and Matt Prior.
With some of those big names just mentioned packing down with the 20-year-old, don’t expect Walker to sit back and let the big boys do all of the work.
