In a trial match played in three 20-minute periods, the NRLW Sharks started strongly, before eventually learning some valuable lessons ahead of the start of the season on July 2.
While the Roosters were crowing at full time after running out 28-4 winners, the game provided something of a wake-up call for the Sharks in showing them what it will take to beat last year’s grand final runners-up.
There were impressive early signs from the Sharks, in particular halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu, who steered the side to a 4-0 lead after the first third. The recent State of Origin debutant sat out the rest of the game.
Rugby 7s star Madison Ashby came into the halves and played her first game in the black, white and blue since 2018, new signing China Polata re-formed her Queensland Origin camp combination with five-eighth Georgia Hannaway, and the addition of middle forwards Tegan Dymock and Najvada George strengthened Cronulla’s already imposing pack.
The Sharks also had plenty of talent on the sideline and not taking part in the game, including captain Tiana Penitani-Gray, who continues her recovery from a knee injury playing for the Blues in their recent Origin series clean sweep.
Sharks 2025 Harvey Norman Grand Final winner Marewa Samson had some good moments, breaking multiple tackles, at one point almost putting Georgia Ravic over in the corner, if not for some desperate Roosters defence.
Coach Tony Herman gave Cronulla’s uncapped NRLW players a chance to test themselves against some of the game’s best in the final two-thirds of the contest, amongst them young Rugby 7s convert Milla Elaro, who displayed her skills in her time on the park, highlighted by a line break in the final seconds of the game.
The match was the final game at Leichhardt Oval before it’s closed for renovation.
The Sharks now turn their attention to round 1, where they face fellow 2025 preliminary finalists Newcastle.
That game is scheduled for a 7:45pm kick off next Thursday night (2nd of July) at Ocean Protect Stadium.
