NRL trial preview: Sharks v Knights

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Fri 16 Feb 2024, 11:27 AM

An exciting mix of rookies and seasoned players will step out for the Sharks in their opening Pre-Season Challenge clash with the Knights at Gosford's Industree Group Stadium on Saturday.

Lock Cameron McInnes will lead a 26-man squad featuring 14 players with NRL experience in a trial against a Newcastle side containing several of their top guns.

In the absence of big names such as Nicho Hynes, Braydon Trindall, Briton Nikora, Royce Hunt, Blayke Brailey, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Toby Rudolf and Will Kennedy, several youngsters will have the chance to push their claims.

Named at fullback, Kade Dykes will play for the first time in 18 months after overcoming the ACL injury that kept him sidelined last season.

Other players of interest include 21-year-old winger Sam Stonestreet, who is knocking on the door of an NRL debut after a full campaign in the NSW Cup. Centre Kayal Iro, with one first-grade match to his name, is also pressing for a spot.

Niwhai Puru and Daniel Atkinson have been entrusted with steering the ship due to the unavailability of Indigenous All Stars duo Hynes and Trindall.

Former Storm utility Atkinson made his club debut for the Sharks last season, while Puru is yet to feature in the NRL but carved up the Knights in last year's trial.

While Newcastle aren't risking reigning Dally M medallist Kalyn Ponga, Cronulla's defensive systems will be tested by Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble, the playmaking pair that helped inspire the Novocastrians' recent run to the finals.

Title-winning half Jack Cogger will come off the bench in his Knights return.

Acrobatic flanker Sione Katoa brings 89 games of top-flight experience to the Sharks backline and could oppose Newcastle powerhouse Greg Marzhew.

Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has selected a formidable forward pack, with cult hero Tom Hazelton down to start in the front row alongside Oregon Kaufusi.

Jack Williams, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Sifa Talakai and off-season recruit Billy Burns are listed on an extended bench. With unlimited interchanges, Fitzgibbon has the freedom to cycle through his reinforcements on what could be a hot summer day.

Second-rower Teig Wilton will complete his comeback from the knee injury that curtailed his campaign after 20 rounds last year. Wilton is presumably set to line up on his favoured left edge, with rising forward Jesse Colquhoun on the right.

The crafty Jayden Berrell will get valuable game time in the dummy-half role. As Brailey's uncapped understudy, he could be called upon at some stage in 2024. Fellow hooker Sam Healey, the son of club legend Mitch, is in the squad as well.

Like last year, all teams will compete for $100,000 in prize money during the Pre-Season Challenge, with bonus points for tries, line breaks and offloads.

The Sharks came within a whisker of taking out the inaugural cash reward 12 months ago, ultimately being pipped by the Sea Eagles' superior offload count.

Cronulla beat Newcastle 28-16 in their first trial of 2023 at the same venue.

Saturday's match will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo. Kick off is at 1.45pm.

2024 Pre-Season Challenge: Everything you need to know

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 17 Feb

Full Time

Knights

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Sharpe

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Kade Dykes
Winger for Knights is number 2 Thomas Jenkins

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Kayal Iro
Centre for Knights is number 4 Krystian Mapapalangi

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Mawene Hiroti
Winger for Knights is number 22 Laitia Moceidreke

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Niwhai Puru

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Thomas Hazelton
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Berrell
Prop for Knights is number 10 Jacob Saifiti

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jed Cartwright

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Jesse Colquhoun
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jack Cogger

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Billy Burns
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jack Hetherington

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Tuku Hau Tapuha
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Lachlan Jake Crouch

Reserves

Reserve for Knights is number 18 David Armstrong

Reserve for Sharks is number 18 Chris Vea'ila
Reserve for Knights is number 19 Fletcher Myers

Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Samuel Healey
Reserve for Knights is number 20 Kyle McCarthy

Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Salesi Ataata
Reserve for Knights is number 21 Will Pryce

Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Blake Hosking
Reserve for Knights is number 23 Riley Jones

Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Siosifa Talakai
Reserve for Knights is number 24 Paul Bryan

Reserve for Sharks is number 23 Liam Ison
Reserve for Knights is number 25 Zach Herring

Reserve for Sharks is number 24 Max Bradbury
Reserve for Knights is number 26 Clay Webb

Reserve for Sharks is number 25 Tom Rodwell
Reserve for Knights is number 28 Sebastian Su'a

Reserve for Sharks is number 27 Siteni Taukamo