Sharks to bring effort and intensity against highly rated Roosters

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Thu 13 Apr 2023, 05:58 PM

Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has praised the commitment of his team through their opening five matches of the 2023 season, while expressing that their effort now needs to turn into positive results as the Sharks prepare to face the Roosters in a Friday night match up.

Following two wins and three close losses to start the year, the Sharks sat out last weekend with a round six bye, with Fitzgibbon and his team ready to get back to work against a highly rated Roosters line-up in a match kicking off at 6pm at PointsBet Stadium.

“It was a time to look a lot of the things that we are doing well and tap into the areas where we’re falling short,” Fitzgibbon said of the bye week. “One thing we haven’t been disappointed with has been with our effort, which is really important for this stage of the year.

“We’ve got guys out there working really hard and the effort has been high but we need to address why we’re letting teams back into the contest and not controlling our own game.”

After jumping out to a big lead the Sharks were run down by the Warriors in a 32-30 loss two weeks ago in a game where they subsequently lost Dale Finucane to suspension and Toby Rudolf with a serious toe injury.

While the two middle forwards will no doubt he missed, Oregon Kaufusi returns after missing the Warriors match due to a concussion suffered in the win over the Dragons.

Youngster Tom Hazelton has been rewarded for his outstanding form for the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup with a call-up to the NRL squad, with Wade Graham a significant inclusion after serving his four-match judiciary ban.

“Having Wade back comes at a really good time for us, especially in Dale’s absence due to his suspension. He’s a handy addition,” Fitzgibbon said.

As for concerns when asked about Graham’s tackling technique, one that saw him charged with dangerous contact for a high shot in Rabbitohs forward Davey Moale, the coach isn’t looking for the experienced Shark to change the way he plays.

“Wade is an aggressive player. (But) you want to know his aggression is focused in the right area, and he knows that,” Fitzgibbon added

In a match which sees Fitzgibbon facing his mentor in Trent Robinson for just the second time since taking over the head coaching role at the Sharks, the game will mark the 100th time the two teams have met, the Roosters having won on 63 occasions, the Sharks 34, with two matches drawn.

The Roosters come into the contest on a seven-match winning streak against the Sharks, including the past four games played at PointsBet Stadium. They also lead in the head-to-head on games played at PointsBet, with 28 victories compared to 20 from the home team.

Since returning to PointsBet in 2022 after two seasons away, Cronulla has won nine of 13 matches, however they have now lost the past three against the Warriors, Souths in round one and the Cowboys in the week one Finals clash last season.

Both teams start the game on the back of losses in their most recent matches, the Roosters going down by 28-8 to the Storm last weekend, the Sharks beaten in round five prior to their round six bye.

And in diving deep into the statistics after six rounds the Sharks have registered the most line breaks and are second most for points and tries scored, despite playing just five matches.

They are also conceding the fewest offloads and second fewest metres but have been awarded the fewest ruck infringements.

In play statistics and milestones, Daniel Tupou is three tries away from equalling the Roosters try scoring record of 139, the Roosters winger enjoying a solid strike rate against the Sharks having scored 10 tries in 12 matches.

For the Sharks, Ronaldo Mulitalo last week became the to 50 tries for the Club, coming in his 69th match, with the previous record held by Mat Rogers (88 games).

Mulitalo has notched try-scoring doubles in his past two matches.

Sione Katoa is just one shy of 50 tries in what will be his 70th match, the freaky Sharks finisher having scored a try in each of his past four matches at PointsBet Stadium. Will Kennedy is also looking to score in a fifth straight match and backrower Briton Nikora has scored nine tries in his past 10 matches.

The Sharks v Roosters match is scheduled for a 6.00pmn kick off at PointsBet Stadium on Friday night, with the curtain raiser a Jersey Flegg match up featuring the same two clubs.

In team news, the Sharks reported no changes to the team to tackle the Roosters, with Braydon Trindall 18th man and Connor Tracey retained in the 19-player squad.

Round 7 - Round 7 - Friday 14 Apr

Full Time

Sharks

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
Prop for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 8 Royce Hunt

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Wade Graham

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu Whyte
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Matthew Lodge