NRL Match Preview: Round 8 v Tigers

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Sat 26 Apr 2025, 04:04 PM

They're shooting for three straight wins in Sunday's Anzac Round clash with Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, but the Sharks are adamant they've only scratched the surface of their potential.

24-hour squad: Wilton out with injury, Burns in

Having vaulted into sixth position with a comfortable 34-14 victory over the Knights last round, Cronulla are heading to Tiger Town brimming with confidence.

It's been a testing period off the field for the Tigers amid the Lachlan Galvin contract saga, compounded by a loss to the Eels on Monday, but the Sharks will be wary after being upset 32-6 by Benji Marshall's team at Leichhardt last year.

"I remember that game being a tough one," Sharks forward Sifa Talakai said.

"I think we lost a couple of middles early on in the game. The only other thing I remember is copping a spray left, right and centre from the crowd as well.

"It's definitely one that I've kept in the memory bank."

Despite that blemish in Round 3 last season, the Sharks have dominated the Tigers in recent times with 11 wins from 13 encounters since 2015.

Cronulla have posted 30 points or more in their past five victories against the Tigers, including a 58-6 demolition at Sharks Stadium last July.

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Match Highlights l Sharks v Tigers

While tracking nicely with a 4-3 record amid a gruelling travel schedule, the Sharks have declared they've got plenty of improvement to come.

"I don't think we're a finished product yet," second-rower Teig Wilton said earlier in the week, prior to his withdrawal due to a shoulder injury.

"In every facet of our footy I think we've got more to do and more to give. We'll be working to find another level this weekend ... It's through putting effort in on the training ground and going out and doing it when it matters on the field."

In team news, the Sharks will be without Wilton and prop Toby Rudolf, who is set to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks after suffering a syndesmosis injury against the Knights. Tuku Hau Tapuha will come onto the interchange in Rudolf's place.

Billy Burns will replace second-rower Wilton, who is expected to miss 2-4 matches after damaging his shoulder in the Newcastle game.

For the Tigers, 19-year-old Galvin has been recalled as Jarome Luai's halves partner after a one-week stint with Western Suburbs in the NSW Cup. Galvin's return will see Adam Doueihi shift from five-eighth to the centres.

Former Shark Royce Hunt is back on the Tigers' bench after sitting out last week, setting up an explosive showdown with his good mates in Cronulla's pack.

"(The banter) has already started this week. We've been going back and forth on text messages," Talakai said of his conversations with Hunt.

"A bit of brotherly love, I'd say."

Asked if he had a message for Hunt, Talakai joked: "Be careful what you wish for!"

Sharks fullback Will Kennedy, who has four tries in six games against the Tigers, has surged into Round 8 as the Dally M Medal leader with 22 points.

An electric matchup between Kennedy and Tigers sensation Jahream Bula is one to watch, but it's the contest through the middle that may decide the result.

Cronulla colossus Addin Fonua-Blake will look to establish dominance against Tigers giant Terrell May, who has emerged as one of the game's premier props.

"He's been playing really good footy," Fonua-Blake said of May.

"He's definitely a leader for their pack. I'm going to have my hands full this week – not just me, the whole forward pack. I think their young prop Fonua Pole is doing a really good job too. They've been really good leaders for their team and we're going to have our hands full, but I like coming up against players that are in form."

A passionate crowd is expected as the Tigers play at Leichhardt for the first time this season, but Cronulla will embrace the adversarial atmosphere.

"I like playing in those old-school stadiums," Fonua-Blake said.

"Leichhardt's a special place for them and I'm sure it's going to be sold out."

Kick-off is at 4.05pm, with live coverage on Nine, Nine Now, Foxtel and Kayo.

See the updated team lists below.

Round 8 - Sunday 27th April

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 Sunia Turuva

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam Doueihi

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Mawene Hiroti
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Brent Naden

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 Jarome Luai

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex Seyfarth

2nd Row for Sharks is number 20 Billy Burns
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Royce Hunt

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jack Bird

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Tuku Hau Tapuha
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Sione Fainu

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 21 Solomona Faataape

Replacement for Sharks is number 22 Jesse Colquhoun

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated: 10:28 pm Sunday 27th April 2025

Stat Attack

Wests Tigers have won only two of their past 13 games against the Sharks.
Sharks winger Sam Stonestreet has scored six tries in his last six games.
Wests Tigers have won four of their past six games at Leichhardt Oval.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored six tries in his last six games against the Tigers.
Wests Tigers prop Alex Twal will make his 150th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.