Well on top in the first half against the Eels the fact that the NYC Sharks only took a six-point advantage to the break eventually came back to bite them as they slipped to a disappointing 22-12 loss last weekend.
The Sharks had all the running in establishing a 12-6 lead and only a combination of dogged Eels defence and some poor execution on their part, prevented them from being even further in front.
The Parramatta side came out of half time full of running and two tries had them leading 16-12, before a final four-pointer as the fulltime siren was sounding would round out the scoring.
On the back of comprehensive wins at their previous two starts the loss was a speed hump of sorts, with the Sharks now needing to rebound in the round five match up with the Knights tomorrow.
The Sharks side remains largely unchanged from the one which played last Saturday, with Josh Tuilagi a notable omission, the big winger injuring a hamstring in the Eels game. In his place comes the experienced Johnathan Tufuga who will be keen to impress in his first run in the NYC side this season.
An interesting addition to the Sharks extended bench is Isaac Lumelume, the young outside back potentially returning after a long stint on the sidelines with injury. He may be one more week away however with coach John Morris not wanting to rush Lumelume back but certain to be looking forward to his imminent return.
The Sharks go into the match level with the Knights on four competition points while sitting fifth as compared to seventh for their opponents due to a superior for-and-against.
The Sharks v Knights NYC match is scheduled to get underway at 10.45am.
NYC Team List – Round 5
Sharks v Knights
Saturday, April 1
Southern Cross Group Stadium
Kick-off – 10.45am
1 William KENNEDY
2 Sione KATOA
3 Clayton Uia
4 Bessie AUFAGA-TOOMAGA
5 Johnathan TUFUGA
6 Jack WILLIAMS ©
7 Kyle FLANAGAN
8 Daniel VASQUEZ
9 Blayke BRAILEY
10 Brock ILETT
11 Briton NIKORA
12 Ryan KING
13 Billy MAGOULIAS
Interchange
14 Zachary FAULKNER
15 Eddie FAALUA
16 Tony MATAUTIA
17 Joshua CARR
20 Rusiate Lumelume
21 Luke JURD
22 Kalani PEWHAIRANGI-CHARLIE
