Sharks v Sea Eagles Match Preview

Anzac Round battle for the Steve Rogers Cup

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Wed 20 Apr 2022, 07:48 PM

The two competition points are certainly crucial to both as they look to stay in touch with the leading teams, however the Sharks and Sea Eagles have a couple of other important reasons to perform when they meet at PointsBet Stadium on Thursday night.

The match between a couple of the NRL’s traditional adversaries will be the first of the ANZAC round weekend in respecting and remembering those to have served, and who continue to serve, in the armed forces, while adding to that the Steve Rogers Cup goes on the line in recognition of the late Sharks Immortal who helped kick off the Sharks-Manly rivalry way back in the early 1970’s.

A clash of two teams down on troops somewhat, but with enough quality ensure a classic contest, with Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon certainly not about to let his team take the Sea Eagles lightly.

“They’ve won four in a row and Des Hasler’s been around for a long time and knows how to get players motivated,” Fitzgibbon said when told Manly would be missing front rowers Josh Aloiai and Martin Taupau, the pair joining star fullback Tom Trbojevic on the sidelines.

“It wouldn’t matter who was putting their jersey on this week they’ll be ready to go.”

Similarly, the Sharks will be short of full strength, Wade Graham still on the road to recovery and with Braden Hamlin Uele and Dale Finucane unavailable after picking up injuries in the game against the Storm last weekend (CLICK HERE to read the Pilot Medical Update).

“It’s unfortunate for Brayden, he’s worked very hard in pre-season, got himself in good condition and has played some good games for us,” Fitzgibbon added.

Hamlin-Uele underwent surgery to repair a ruptured pectoral muscle and is expected to be sidelined for up to four months, while Finucane suffered a head knock last Saturday night and with the short turnaround between matches, the Sharks are taking the cautious approach and keeping him out of tomorrow’s big game.

“He’s OK but its too soon. We’ll freshen him up, we’ll follow the protocols, but we won’t rush him,” Fitzgibbon sad.

While with no Finucane or Graham, half back Nicho Hynes takes over the captaincy duties for the first time.

“He is the logical choice for us. Nicho is steering the team around well, he talks to the players and to the referee, so it made sense,” the coach explained.

“He’s earned that right through his leadership throughout the pre-season. He wants that responsibility. He’s a confident kid.”

In the head-to-head numbers in matches between the two beachside clubs, the Sea Eagles hold a distinct advantage, having won 67 of the 94 games, with two draws.

From 2009 onwards the Sharks have managed just three wins from 20 matches, the most recent of coming in 2020 in Gosford, however in giving them some level of confidence, 16 of Cronulla’s 25 wins have come at PointsBet Stadium.

The last two matches between Cronulla and Manly have ended in the same score line, 40-22, in favour of the Sharks in 2020, before the Sea Eagles won by the identical score in round 20, 2021.

The loss to Melbourne last week was the first for the Sharks since round 1, while in three matches so far this season they are undefeated at PointsBet Stadium.

For Manly, the victory over the Titans last weekend was their fourth straight after starting their year with two losses.

In team news, Sione Katoa and Briton Nikora return after missing the Storm match, with the Sharks retaining Lochie Miller and Mawene Hiroti on an extended bench.

The Sharks v Sea Eagles match will be preceded by an ANZAC Day ceremony, with the Steve Rogers Cup to be presented to the winning captain following the game. A round 7 Jersey Flegg game between the same two clubs kicks off at 5.35.

Gates to PointsBet Stadium open at 5.30pm.

See following the two 19-man squads.

Round 7 - Round 7 - Thursday 21 Apr

Full Time

Sharks

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben Garrick
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Morgan Harper
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran Foran
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Toafofoa Sipley
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
Prop for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 12 Andrew Davey
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 15 Karl Lawton
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 10 Aiden Tolman

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Taniela Paseka
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Braydon Trindall

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Tolutau Koula