After a statement victory over the Storm, the Sharks will continue their push towards the top four when they face the Roosters at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford on Saturday night.
While fifth-placed Cronulla are unaffected by State of Origin, the Roosters (13th) will be without five stars – Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia – due to representative selection.
Still, as they chase a fourth consecutive win heading into a well-earned bye next weekend, the Sharks know they must "combat the energy" of a Roosters side buoyed by Victor Radley's 150th game and the debut of bench hooker Benaiah Ioelu.
"They've still got a quality team ... We're not underestimating our opponent, not by any stretch," Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon said on Friday.
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The Coach's Mail - Round 12
Sharks captain Cameron McInnes concurred: "They've got some high-quality players in that team; some young, exciting players who can make things happen. I'm expecting a pretty big challenge on Saturday night.
"They have a couple of players in that Origin space, so they'll have some guys get some opportunities and they'll want to make their mark.
"It's going to be a huge game for us."
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Round 12 Media: Cam McInnes
Cronulla affirmed their premiership credentials with a stirring 31-26 win over Melbourne last weekend despite losing centre-wing pairing Jesse Ramien (eye) and Sam Stonestreet (syndesmosis) to injuries early in the action.
Fitzgibbon confirmed Ramien is fit to tackle the Roosters, with his vision having returned about 24 hours after the game, while Stonestreet is out for 6-8 weeks.
The versatile Mawene Hiroti will return from an MCL injury in Stonestreet's place on the flank. Cronulla have otherwise named an unchanged team.
The Sharks aren't content to bask in the glow of their win against the Storm.
"To have us all together going into this game on Saturday night, (then) into a bye, we're really excited. We're just hungry," McInnes continued.
"We're satisfied with that (Melbourne) game; we're not satisfied in general."
In-form hooker Blayke Brailey offered similar comments as he prepares to play his 115th consecutive NRL game, a streak dating back to 2020.
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Round 12 Media: Blayke Brailey
"We talk about consistency in our club; backing up performances and playing well each week," the 26-year-old Brailey said. "We're going to keep doing that and we're going to keep trying to win the day and win the session.
"Hopefully that translates to good performances on the weekend."
The reshuffled Roosters side includes English international Dom Young, who returns to the NRL on the wing after a stint in reserve grade, as well as new faces Makahesi Makatoa, Salesi Foketi, Taylor Losalu and first-gamer Ioelu.
Cronulla are aiming to win two straight matches against the Tricolours for the first time since 2017, having prevailed 38-30 in Magic Round last year.
The teams met at Gosford eight years ago, with the Sharks running out 44-12 victors in a game best remembered for a 90-metre Luke Lewis intercept try.
Kick-off tomorrow is at 7.35pm AEST. Cronulla's Jersey Flegg team and NSW Cup partner club Newtown will also meet the Roosters in curtain-raising matches.
Catch the NRL action live on Foxtel and Kayo.
See the 24-hour team lists below.
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Round 12 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Sharks is number 2 Mawene Hiroti
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy SmithCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Mark NawaqanitawaseCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic YoungWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sandon SmithFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Hugo SavalaHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Makahesi MakatoaProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Roosters is number 14 Benaiah IoeluHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Salesi FoketiProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 9 Zach Dockar-ClayInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Taylor LosaluInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Jesse Colquhoun
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Blake SteepInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa Talakai
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Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Xavier Va'aInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan KingReplacement for Sharks is number 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won eight of their last 10 games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have scored 40 points or more in their last three games at Industree Group Stadium.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 11 tries in 14 games against the Sharks.
- Sharks centre KL Iro has scored at least one try in all seven games this season.
- Roosters lock Victor Radley will play his 150th NRL game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
