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Crunch time has come early for the Sharks.

After copping a 38-10 thrashing from the Knights last week, they need to show they are a worthy top eight side with a strong Sunday night performance against the over-achieving Warriors.

Cronulla will be without key players and coach John Morris has his work cut out getting everybody on the same page for a must-win game.

The Warriors have exceeded almost everyone's expectations in the face of adversity, but they know they can pretty much forget about the finals if they don't knock off the Sharks.

The rundown

Team news

Sharks: Cronulla will start 1-17 after Braydon Trindall and Mawene Hiroti were the last two players cut from the squad. Shaun Johnson (groin/hamstring) will return and play halfback in place of the suspended Chad Townsend. Johnson will be partnered in the halves by Connor Tracey.

Siosifa Talakai has moved into the starting side to replace Wade Graham (suspended) while Toby Rudolf has been named to start at lock for Scott Sorensen.

Sorensen and Bill Magoulias were cut from the reserves on Saturday.

Sione Katoa will return from a chest injury on the wing and Andrew Fifita is on the bench. The Sharks have won six of their past seven games against the Warriors.

Warriors: The team will start 1-17, but Tohu Harris is now listed at prop and Isaiah Papali'i in the back row Josh Curran and Paul Turner were the last two players to be omitted.

Eels loan pair George Jennings and Daniel Alvaro both return. Lachlan Burr revered to the interchange after starting last week, while Tom Ale and Beale were trimmed from the reserves on Saturday.

The Warriors have lost nine from 10 against top-eight opposition in 2020.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
  • Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Adam Pompey
  • Centre for Sharks is number 3 Josh Dugan
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Hayze Perham
  • Centre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Peta Hiku
  • Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 George Jennings
  • Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Connor Tracey
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
  • Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Shaun Johnson
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Forwards

  • Prop for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
  • Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Karl Lawton
  • Prop for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
    Prop for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 10 Isaiah Papali'i
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Siosifa Talakai
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jack Murchie
  • Lock for Sharks is number 13 Toby Rudolf
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Teig Wilton
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Wayde Egan
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Adam Blair
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Andrew Fifita
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Daniel Alvaro
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Royce Hunt
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Lachlan Burr

Match Officials

  • Referee: Matt Cecchin
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Aaron Woods v Jamayne Taunoa-Brown. With so many key players missing, Woods' leadership might be the most important asset for the Sharks on Sunday. The former NSW Origin prop has to lead by his actions and words and make sure some of his younger teammates keep their mind on the job. JTB is rated by many as a future star and the 23-year-old rookie will be keen to give Woods all he can handle.

Stat attack

The Sharks and Warriors split their two meetings last year. The Warriors prevailed 19-18 on home soil in round 18 after Blake Green kicked a late field goal. It was a different story when they locked horns in round 23 at Cronulla, as the Sharks romped to a 42-16 victory after leading 24-10 at half-time. Goal-kicker Shaun Johnson was a perfect 7/7 on conversions.

Acknowledgement of Country

The New Zealand Warriors honour the mana of the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific. We acknowledge the traditional kaitiaki of the lands, elders past and present, their stories, their traditions, their mamae and their mana motuhake.

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