NRL Match Preview: Round 3 v Wests Tigers

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Fri 22 Mar 2024, 07:34 PM

Defensive starch has been the bedrock of the Sharks' best start to a season in 16 years, so coach Craig Fitzgibbon is after another unrelenting effort against Wests Tigers on Saturday night.

Despite conceding the first try in dogged victories over the Warriors and Bulldogs, the Sharks have given up a meagre 18 points in total.

Most impressively, having won their opening two matches for the first time since 2008, the black, white and blue wall is yet to be breached after the 12-minute mark.

Now, with an opportunity to do what the Sharks last achieved in 2002 and begin the year 3-0, Fitzgibbon's troops can't rest on their laurels in facing a Wests Tigers side that will be buoyed by a passionate crowd at Leichhardt Oval.

"We've had a couple of hard-fought victories there. Within those games we've had to work for everything we've got," Fitzgibbon said ahead of Multicultural Round.

"Particularly last week in the second half (v Bulldogs), we came out at 6-all and both teams were super committed. We had to grind our way to get a few late tries.

"We want to hang onto that grit, perseverance and determination."

The Coach's Mail - Round 3

Cronulla have enjoyed success over Wests Tigers in recent times, saluting in 10 of 11 matches since 2015 including four on the bounce.

But with new coach Benji Marshall putting his imprint on an improving squad featuring a host of stars, the Sharks are bracing for a tough assignment.

After a bye in Round 1, Wests Tigers went down 32-12 to the Raiders last week.

"A lot of good players that you've got to be wary of," Fitzgibbon said.

"They missed the kick last week – it sort of happened to us in New Zealand the week before – but they responded pretty quickly and got back to 14-12 in no time.

"That's what they are capable of. They've got some dangerous players there with Api (Koroisau), obviously Jahream Bula and the back-rowers (John Bateman and Isaiah Papali'i) are two strong, experienced back-rowers as well."

Sharks prop Toby Rudolf expanded: "The Tigers don't get the credit they deserve.

"There's no such thing as an easy game in the NRL ... I'm expecting a response from last week in Canberra, especially at Leichhardt in front of their home base."

While Cronulla are without Kiwi international Briton Nikora, who accepted a two-game suspension for a high tackle, Jack Williams is set to play as an edge forward.

"He's flown under the radar a little bit," Fitzgibbon said of the reliable Williams.

"He's one of our most consistent performers, I think, and in New Zealand (in Round 1) it was his 100th game and his performance over there was amazing.

"Jack's been playing so strongly. We're confident in his back-row role because he's done so much training there, nearly exclusively all pre-season."

Williams' promotion to the run-on side has paved the way for former Panther and Dragon Billy Burns to become Shark #559 off the interchange.

Fitzgibbon hailed 25-year-old Burns as a valuable addition to the squad and said his versatility provides "flexibility" when it comes to the forward rotation.

Playing at a heaving Leichhardt Oval, the Sharks are anticipating a frosty welcome.

"I like the suburban grounds, a bit of tribalism there," Fitzgibbon concluded.

"It can make it a hostile environment for us to go there, but we're excited by that."

Kick-off is set for 7.35pm AEDT, with Foxtel and Kayo broadcasting live.

See the updated 19-man team lists below, with Daniel Atkinson, Sam Stonestreet and Jayden Berrell trimmed from the extended Sharks squad named on Tuesday.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 23 Mar

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Jack Williams
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jayden Sullivan

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Dale Finucane
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce Hunt
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Billy Burns
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela Fainu

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton