NRL Trial Preview: Sharks v Warriors

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Thu 6 Feb 2025, 07:29 PM

Experience and youth will combine when the Sharks host a formidable Warriors side to kick off the 2025 NRL Pre-Season Challenge on Friday night.

Cronulla's 27-man squad for the Sharks Stadium clash features several regular first graders, including Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Kayal Iro, Daniel Atkinson, Siosifa Talakai, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Tom Hazelton and Oregon Kaufusi.

They'll suit up alongside a selection of the club's most promising Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup talents who have trained with the NRL group over the summer.

The Warriors have named a team that wouldn't look out of place in Round 1, opting to unleash marquee recruit James Fisher-Harris as well as the likes of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Wayde Egan, Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell.

In contrast, the Sharks have kept most of their big guns on ice ahead of next Thursday's meeting with the Raiders in Canberra – their final hit-out before the Telstra Premiership season opener against the Panthers in Las Vegas on March 2.

As is typical of trials, fans can expect to see Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon cycle through his large squad, with the focus on building match fitness and cohesion.

But there's more than pride on the line given the winner of the Pre-Season Challenge – which involves all 17 clubs – will take home $100,000.

Each team will play two matches, with 12 points awarded for victory, six for a draw and zero for a loss. There are three bonus points on offer per game – one each for scoring five-plus tries, making five-plus line breaks and producing 10-plus offloads.

In a proud family moment, twins Niwhai and Hohepa Puru will run out together in black, white and blue for the first time. Niwhai will start at halfback, while ex-Raiders forward Hohepa is set to play as a middle off the bench.

Sharks supporters with a view to the future should keep a close eye on 2024 Flegg stars Taj Ford, Riley Pollard, Michael Gabrael, Kristian Dixon, Lachlan Crouch, Felix Faatili and Sam McCulloch, who have been listed on the extended interchange.

Several members of the NSW Cup-winning Newtown Jets team will also be given game time. Jayden Berrell, Mawene Hiroti, Niwhai Puru, Billy Burns, Chris Vea'ila, Sam Stonestreet and Blake Hosking, who were around the NRL squad last year, will be joined by forwards Brad Fearnley and Kyle Pickering.

Former Bulldogs outside back Eli Clark has earned an opportunity as a reserve after departing Belmore, having made his NRL debut late last season.

Don't miss the chance to see the Sharks in action for the first time in '25! Full Season Members will receive free General Admission access to the trial by scanning their physical or digital card at the gates. Part Season and Flexi Members can also redeem a ticket without impacting their number of match entry entitlements.

For all others, CLICK HERE to secure tickets from as little as $10.20 for juniors.

Fox League and Kayo will exclusively broadcast every game of the Pre-Season Challenge.

Kick-off on Friday night is set for 7.30pm. Gates open at 7pm.

See the full Sharks and Warriors squads below.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 7 Feb

Full Time

Sharks

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Mawene Hiroti

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Warriors is number 18 Edward Kosi
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Niwhai Puru

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke Metcalf

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden Berrell

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Thomas Hazelton

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Siosifa Talakai

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns

2nd Row for Warriors is number 15 Marata Niukore
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Oregon Kaufusi

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Hohepa Puru

Interchange for Warriors is number 11 Jacob Laban
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Tuku Hau Tapuha

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Demitric Vaimauga
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Lachlan Crouch

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Moala Graham-Taufa
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Blake Hosking

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Sio Kali

Reserves

Reserve for Sharks is number 18 Chris Vea'ila

Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Luke Hanson
Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Kyle Pickering

Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Jett Cleary
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Michael Gabrael

Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Taine Tuaupiki
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Brad Fearnley

Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Daeon Amituanai
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Taj Ford

Reserve for Warriors is number 24 Bunty Afoa
Reserve for Sharks is number 23 Riley Pollard

Reserve for Warriors is number 25 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Reserve for Sharks is number 24 Eli Clark

Reserve for Warriors is number 26 Samuel Healey
Reserve for Sharks is number 25 Kristian Dixon

Reserve for Warriors is number 27 Dylan Walker
Reserve for Sharks is number 26 Felix Faatili

Reserve for Warriors is number 28 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Reserve for Sharks is number 27 Samuel McCulloch

Reserve for Warriors is number 29 Freddy Lussick
Reserve for Warriors is number 30 Motu Pasikala