NRL Match Preview: Round 20 v Roosters
The Sharks will celebrate two major milestones in Friday night's crunch match against the Roosters at home with Addin Fonua-Blake reaching 200 NRL games and Chris Vea'ila notching his first.
Cronulla are determined to mark the special occasion with back-to-back victories at Sharks Stadium, but no additional motivation is required given both teams are fighting tooth and nail for a place in the top eight with the finals in sight.
With the Roosters also sitting on 22 competition points but boasting a superior differential, the Sharks have a golden opportunity to leapfrog their eighth-placed opponents. A win will give Cronulla's playoffs hopes a huge boost after they prevailed against the Dolphins last week in another crucial mid-table contest.
The hosts are out for revenge after suffering a shock 42-16 defeat to the Eastern Suburbs outfit at Industree Group Stadium in Round 12.
Promising centre Vea'ila has been called into Cronulla's starting side as a replacement for Jesse Ramien (hamstring tightness), while forward Billy Burns has again joined the bench at the expense of utility Daniel Atkinson.
If Vea'ila needs any reassurance, the talented debutant only needs to cast his eyes to the middle of the field and watch the fearless Fonua-Blake go about his business.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon lauded Fonua-Blake's leadership qualities after showing immense fortitude against the Dolphins while grieving his grandfather.
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200 NRL Games: AFB Highlights
"He had a huge week last week with some family issues – the burial of an important family member to him," Fitzgibbon said of the 29-year-old prop.
"He was in and out (of training). He buried him on the day of the game, got here late and still turned up and performed like he did. What a player.
"He's so reliable and he's working hard. Everyone will judge a front-rower by their metres – he scores plenty of tries too, Ads – but what we're most impressed with is the little things. His kick pressures, when breaks are made or things have gone wrong, he's usually on the scene. His off-ball role's been really strong for us."
Speaking to the media earlier in the week, Fonua-Blake reflected on a path that has taken him from the Sea Eagles to the Warriors and now the Sharks.
"It's a massive milestone. Something I'm really proud of," he said.
"Didn't think I'd get to 100, let alone 200 (NRL games), so I'm really proud of it and proud of the journey that's got me here.
"I probably didn't do everything right early on, but I'm grateful for the people who stuck by me and helped me grow into the man I am today."
While it's not the be-all and end-all as Fitzgibbon pointed out, the fact Fonua-Blake leads the league for post-contact metres (73.6 per game) underlines his importance to Cronulla's engine room. He will face off with Queensland Origin hero Lindsay Collins and rising star Naufahu Whyte in a tantalising battle.
Meanwhile, Auckland-born Vea'ila declared he is "more keen than nervous" as he prepares for his long-awaited NRL debut. The 22-year-old speedster played a leading role in Sharks feeder team Newtown's NSW Cup premiership last year and is tipped by good judges to seamlessly make the step up to the top grade.
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The Coach's Mail - Round 20
On the other side, the Roosters have named ex-Cronulla playmaker Chad Townsend to partner Sam Walker in the halves after a wrist injury to Hugo Savala. In the only other change to the team that beat the Dragons last week, Collins has been elevated to the starting line-up in a swap with explosive prop Spencer Leniu.
Kick-off on Friday is at 6pm AEST. CLICK HERE to secure tickets!
The match will be broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo.
See the updated teams below.
Match: Sharks v Roosters
Round 20 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Sharks is number 19 Chris Vea'ilaCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Chad Townsend
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon KaufusiProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Salesi Foketi
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jesse ColquhounInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Zach Dockar-Clay
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Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby RudolfInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Blake Steep
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-UeleInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
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Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Billy BurnsInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 14 Daniel AtkinsonReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have lost their last four games against top eight opposition.
- The Roosters have won nine of their past 11 games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is on a five-game tryscoring streak against the Roosters.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou requires two tries to move to equal fifth on the all-time premiership tryscoring list.
- Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
