After the toughest season in Cronulla's NRLW history, the side has pulled off its best win of the campaign, fighting back from 10-points behind to beat the Warriors 40-32 in Auckland.
Sharks general Chantay Kiria-Ratu's boot proved the match-winner; she bombed the Wahs out of the game and converted 6/7 goals to seal an 8-point win despite both teams scoring 7 tries each.
Vice-captain Quincy Dodd returned just 13 days after suffering a fractured arm and scored a double, while fullback Jada Taylor sparked Cronulla's comeback with a brilliant solo try.
Warriors v Sharks Highlights - Round 10, 2026
The Warriors were given an attacking set on the Sharks line at the start of the game thanks to a pin-perfect, but an inaccurate pass saw Cassie Staples sweep up the ball and run 40 meters,
The shift in momentum put the Warriors on the backfoot, hooker Quincy Dodd shot out of dummy half, stepping through three players to grab the first of the afternoon. Chantay Kiria-Ratu added the extras, Cronulla led 6-0 after six minutes.
The Sharks earnt a repeat set and that extra six tackles went in their favour as Marewa Samson received the ball and strode to the corner untouched for her first ever NRLW try. Kiria-Ratu could not convert.
Responding quickly, the Warriors snatched their first of the day after 13 minutes, which was awarded to centre Stacey Waaka. In the sets to follow, it was back to back tries for the host, as Mele Hufanga supported a linebreak and finished the play with a four pointer.
The battle proved back and forth, as both sides showed brilliant attack, but defence got the better of them at times. The Warriors capitalised, and Payton Takimoana got a third for her team. Patricia Maliepo couldn’t convert, though her side led 12-10.
From the kick off, a Kiria-Ratu pearler saw the ball bounce out, and gave Cronulla a chance to hit back.
Once more, Dodd was quick out of dummy half and a deflection of the opposition bounced beautifully for her to clean up the ball and burrow her way across. Kiria-Ratu slotted the goal.
Ending the half on a high, New Zealand went in on opposite ends, as Takimoana grabbed a double, and Lavinia Tauhalaliku put her name on the board. They now led 20-16 into the break.
Coming out for the second 35, the hosts were firing, and a perfect take from Waaka, followed by an inside ball to Maliepo let her claim her own try for the day.
Finally, after three tries against them, Jada Taylor ran the ball herself from the 15 and her speed proved vital as she secured another for Cronulla. With a successful conversion, the game was back within a four point margin.
It was a great moment for Stephanie Faulkner in her return, as she powered through the defence left of the uprights to equal the scores. Kiria-Ratu’s kick went straight over the black dots, and the Sharks now led again.
The first set after points had black, white and blue written all over it, and the Chantay Kiria-Ratu started and finished the set, dummying the line heading straight for the tryline. Georgia Hannaway’s kick was on target, lengthening Cronulla’s lead out to eight.
What has hopefully sealed the deal for the visitors was a massive group effort that involved the quick hands of four players to Cassie Staples, who added her own name to the tries list. Kiria-Ratu slotted from the sideline, the score now blown out 40-26.
Though, just like they did in the first half the Warriors ended the 35 with a try, and on the buzzer it was Gayle Broughton crossed. Jasmin Huriwai added the kick.
The final score was 40-32 in favour of the visitors, and they look towards next week as they take on the Dragons for the local derby, and hopefully get back to back wins for the first time this season.
