NRL Match Preview: Round 16 v Broncos

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Sat 21 Jun 2025, 01:59 PM

After returning to the winner's circle last week, the Sharks are primed to tame the Broncos and stay in touch with the top four when they meet at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

24-hour team list

Cronulla rebounded from consecutive losses with a spirited come-from-behind victory against the Dragons in Round 15, keeping them entrenched in fifth spot.

Seventh-placed Brisbane also released the pressure valve by breaking a four-match slide with an emphatic 44-14 win over the Titans.

While the Broncos boast the home advantage, the Sharks have enjoyed great success at Suncorp recently having won their past three matches at the venue including a Magic Round triumph against the Eels in May.

The men from the Sutherland Shire proved too strong for Brisbane in the corresponding fixture at the iconic ground last year, saluting 22-12.

In team news, Cronulla have been forced into yet another backline shuffle with a calf injury ruling out centre Mawene Hiroti. The damaging Siosifa Talakai will take his place on the left edge after being elevated from the interchange.

With prop Oregon Kaufusi sidelined due to hamstring tightness, Braden Hamlin-Uele has been promoted to start at prop. Utility forward Hohepa Puru has been added to the bench for his much-anticipated Sharks debut.

The Broncos have named a largely unchanged lineup, with mercurial fullback Reece Walsh fit to play after returning from a lengthy injury layoff last round.

Jack Gosiewski is back on the bench for the Broncos after recovering from a fractured arm, replacing fellow forward Ben Te Kura (syndesmosis injury).

The match pits two of the NRL's best long kickers against each other in the form of Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall and Brisbane general Adam Reynolds.

The duo lead the league with three 40-20s apiece this season. Trindall has also drilled two regulation field goals, while Reynolds boasts a long-range two-pointer.

Reynolds is ranked fifth for overall kick metres (5,378m) with Trindall right behind him in sixth (5,342m), making their playmaking duel all the more interesting.

Still, both men will hope their forward packs dominate and allow them to create attacking opportunities with the boot rather than needing to punt deep.

After churning out 193 metres against St George Illawarra, Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake will help lay the platform for Trindall and halves partner Nicho Hynes as he locks horns with a Broncos pack led by Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan.

The Brisbane pair are set to back up from Wednesday night's thrilling State of Origin match in Perth. Haas appeared to be restricted by a groin issue in the NSW defeat, but it appears the star front-rower is on track to play.

It's a special game for Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon, who will oversee his 93rd game for Cronulla – surpassing his father Allan's mark of 92 games from 1988 to 1991. A young Craig would take on ball-boy duties during his dad's tenure.

Kick-off is at 2pm. Catch the action live on Foxtel and Kayo.

See the updated teams below.

Round 16 - Sunday 22nd June

Full Time

Broncos

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas

Prop for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy Walters

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe Hetherington

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jesse Colquhoun
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Xavier Willison

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Jack Gosiewski

Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Hohepa Puru

Reserves

Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Tyson Smoothy

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Billy Burns

Match Officials

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 01:10 am Monday 23rd June 2025

Stat Attack

The Broncos have won nine of their past 12 games against the Sharks.
The Sharks have won their last three games at Suncorp Stadium.
Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki has scored seven tries in his last seven games at Suncorp.
The Sharks have won 11 of their last 13 daytime games.
Broncos second-rower Jordan Riki will make his 100th NRL appearance.

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