NRLW Match Preview: Round 8 v Warriors

Author: Zoe Filetti Sharks Reporter
Timestamp: Sat 23 Aug 2025, 01:44 PM

The Sharks will head across the ditch to face the Warriors on Sunday, continuing their fight for a top-four spot with four games remaining in the NRLW regular season.

24-hour squad

With Cronulla sitting in fifth place and the Warriors in sixth, a high-quality clash is expected. For the Sharks, who are aiming for three straight wins, the match at FMG Stadium Waikato will be a true test of their resilience and determination.

"The girls were pretty keen on winning two in a row. Building from there, hopefully we can make it three this weekend," Cronulla coach Tony Herman said.

The Sharks owe their recent resurgence to gritty defence, notably keeping the Titans to just eight points to clinch an important victory in Round 7.

"We pride ourselves on our defence and a couple of games this season we haven't been too good at that, so I'm really proud of the girls for stepping up and fighting to get that win," Sharks hooker Brooke Anderson said.

The Warriors, meanwhile, are hoping to bounce back after a tough loss to the Raiders last week as they hunt a historic finals berth.

It's been an exciting few weeks for the Sharks, who welcomed superstar prop Caitlan Johnston-Green onto the field just 11 weeks after giving birth last Saturday. The less experienced members of the forward pack fed off her presence.

"It was a very proud moment from all of us to see her back out on the field," fellow front-rower Jacinta Carter said.

Having overcome an overwhelming amount of adversity this season amid injuries and suspensions, the Sharks are confident their best is still to come.

"I feel like we haven't played to our full potential yet. You see glimpses of it, but we need to be able to do it for the whole game – and when we do, the other teams don't know what's coming for them," Carter continued.

The rival fullbacks are set to light up FMG Stadium come Sunday afternoon. For Cronulla. Emma Verran's experience and attacking nous is vital for the Sharks, while electric Warriors captain Apii Nicholls will be hellbent on getting her team back on track after missing last week's defeat with a pectoral injury.

The match will be broadcast on 9, 9Now, Foxtel and Kayo.

See the 24-hour team lists below,

Round 8 - Round 8 - Sunday 24 Aug

Full Time

Warriors

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Emma Verran
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Tyra Wetere

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Kaiyah Atai

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani Gray
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Shakira Baker

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Grace-Lee Weekes
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Payton Takimoana

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Patricia Maliepo

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 14 Tyla King
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Emmanita Paki

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chantay Kiria-Ratu

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Lavinia Kitai

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Lydia Turua-Quedley

Hooker for Sharks is number 6 Georgia Hannaway
Prop for Warriors is number 16 Ashlee Matapo

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Stephanie Faulkner
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Maarire Puketapu

2nd Row for Sharks is number 13 Talei Holmes
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Makayla Eli

2nd Row for Sharks is number 22 Rhiannon Byers
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Laishon Albert-Jones

Lock for Sharks is number 9 Brooke Anderson

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Capri Paekau

Interchange for Sharks is number 11 Manilita Takapautolo
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata Butler

Interchange for Sharks is number 12 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Ivana Lauitiiti

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Caitlan Johnston-Green
Interchange for Warriors is number 19 Kalyn Takitimu-Cook

Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Jada Taylor