Sharks take on Souths in sudden death semi

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Fri 16 Sep 2022, 07:58 PM

The Sharks coming off a 93-minute epic Finals match against the Cowboys, facing a Souths team which was battered and bruised in a physical confrontation with their traditional rivals the Roosters on Sunday, sets up an intriguing sudden-death clash at Allianz Stadium tomorrow night.

Both teams will be missing key personnel, the Rabbits set to be without the suspended Tom Burgess, while for the Sharks Siosifa Talakai and Royce Hunt have failed to come through the training week and have been ruled out with injury, however with both squads primed an exciting finals match-up is assured in front of a full house at the newly refurbished Allianz Stadium.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon in addressing the media ahead of his team’s last training session prior to the big game, was satisfied his players had put the disappointment of last weekend behind them and were ready to put their best foot forward against a difficult opponent.

“It was a great game, we just didn’t get there in the end,” Fitzgibbon said of the Cowboys loss. “The boys enjoyed the experience, obviously came out on the wrong end of it, but learnt plenty of lessons and a really excited for this week.

“We’ve got an opportunity in front of us, so it doesn’t make sense to in what could or should have happened.

“We want to improve on last week and we’ve got an opportunity in front of us,” he added.

In something of a setback to the Sharks, Talakai has succumbed to a rib injury and will miss the game, so too Hunt who has a calf strain and failed in his bid to be fit for the match.

Connor Tracey moves from the wing to take Talakai’s place in the centres, with Lochie Miller coming onto the wing, while Braden Hamlin-Uele moves into the starting side for Hunt and the ever-reliable Aiden Tolman has been added to the bench.

For their opponents, while Burgess will be a loss in the middle of the field, much of Souths success of late has been built on the form of fullback Latrell Mitchell and five eighth Cody Walker, with Fitzgibbon and the Sharks aware of the threat they pose to his team.

“Everybody who comes up against them understands that those two are quality guys. Cameron Murray is also influential in how they play and you know you have to be strong defensively everywhere to keep those guys in check,” Fitzgibbon offered.

“You’ve got to tune into your defense, but we’ve got to ask their defense some questions as well, we’ve got some players in our team who can hopefully give them some headaches to make a game of it.”

The winner will move on to play the Panthers in week three in the qualifying Final, while later tonight the Eels and Raiders clash for the right to challenge the Cowboys for a place in the NRL decider.

The Sharks v Souths match is scheduled for an 8.00pm kick-off at Allianz Stadium tomorrow night, with all tickets having been sold and a full house expected.

See below the two 19-man team lists.

Finals Week 2 - Finals Week 2 - Saturday 17 Sep

Full Time

Sharks

Rabbitohs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
Centre for Sharks is number 2 Connor Tracey

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
Winger for Sharks is number 18 Lachlan Miller

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane Milne
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan

Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
Prop for Sharks is number 16 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Mark Nicholls
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane

Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Teig Wilton

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Kodi Nikorima
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Cameron McInnes

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Hame Sele
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Michael Chee Kam
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Aiden Tolman

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Siliva Havili