Cronulla Sharks vs Wests Tigers
Sunday 3pm, April 27 2008, Toyota Stadium
SHARKS
Brett Kearney
Bryson Goodwin
Ben Pomeroy
David Simmons
Luke Covell
Brett Seymou
Brett Kimmorley
Adam Peek
Isaac De Gois
Luke Douglas
Paul Gallen (capt)
Fraser Anderson
Greg Bird
Interchange:
Danny Nutley
Paul Stephenson
Dustin Cooper
Terence Seu Seu
TIGERS
Brett Hodgson (capt)
Taniela Tuiaki
Dean Collis
Chris Lawrence
Shannon McDonnell
Benji Marshall
Matthew Head
Bryce Gibbs
John Morris
Keith Galloway
Todd Payten
Chris Heighington
Liam Fulton
Interchange:
Dene Halatau
Danny Galea
Corey Payne
Ben Te'o
NRL PREVIEW
TWO top-eight teams collide in the Sutherland Shire on Sunday; both have performed reasonably in the first six weeks but both have plenty to improve on.
The fifth-placed Sharks (4-2) take on the eighth-placed Wests Tigers (3-3) in an important clash for the teams’ finals aspirations.
Both sides will have pencilled in a victory against the other when mapping out their season yet barring the rare-as-hens’-teeth draw, only one team will emerge with competition points.
Cronulla are hurting following their golden-point loss to the Panthers but are buoyed by the return of captain Paul Gallen from suspension and also the news of Anthony Tupou’s signing for next season and beyond.
Gallen slips in seamlessly for the now-retired Lance Thompson who will be missed in the NRL world following years of dedicated service.
Kevin Kingston is also out of the Sharks’ line-up due to a foot injury, which means Isaac de Gois will start at hooker and former troubled Newcastle youngster Terence Seu Seu will return from Jim Beam Cup obscurity onto the bench.
The Wests Tigers once again are trumpeting the return of injury-plagued millionaire five-eighth Benji Marshall. His selection in the number six jersey has pushed John Morris to hooker and Shane Flanagan to the bench.
Watch out Sharks… The cross field bombs are coming. Ricky Stuart will have ordered extra sessions for the kickers this week – but not so much for their own game, rather that of his defenders.
Cross-field bombs are still a major concern for the Sharks, they have successfully diffused just 10 per cent of kicks in this manor. With a 90 per cent chance of success do you think for a second Tim Sheens’ instructions won’t be “bombs away”? They are also ranked third last in the NRL at diffusing chip kicks, a skill both Mathew Head and Marshall have in their kit bags.
Watch out Wests Tigers… Paul Gallen returns from suspension knowing his cheap shots may have cost him a chance at a Test jersey and that while he has the support of the national coach (his club coach Stuart) he still has to convince the national selectors he is worthy of a spot.
Averaging 142 metres and 28 tackles a match is a start but expect the Sharks’ skipper to improve on those numbers against the Tigers as he strives for redemption. Possibly his best weapon are his offloads, although he has toned down the use of it so far this season. If the Tigers fail to wrap up the ball it could spell trouble.
Where it will be won… Field position. The Tigers’ attack is much better than the Sharks, who have been woeful at best this year with ball in hand. If they can get plenty of time attacking the Sharks’ line, the likes of Head and Marshall will be good enough to conjure points against a strong Cronulla defence.
If the Sharks can restrict the Tigers’ field position and stay strong in defence, then their average 14.5 points a game scored might be enough but with the Tigers posting an average 21.3 points a match they’ll need to be super tight.
Considering their awful attacking record the Sharks will be desperate to dominate field position, they’ll need to be as close to the Tigers’ line as often as possible to get the scoreboard moving.
The History: Played 15; Sharks 4, Wests Tigers 10, drawn 1. The West Tigers have defeated Cronulla in their previous eight clashes – including the past three at Toyota Stadium. The Sharks’ home ground has lost some of its aura recently as the Sharks have won just one of their past eight at the venue.
Conclusion: It used to be you’d tip the Sharks at home almost instantaneously but those days are long gone. The Shire boys have the side to win this match, especially considering Robbie Farah is still missing from the Tigers’ outfit, but if they can’t score points soon they’ll eventually start sliding down the ladder.
The return of Marshall is a big plus for the Tigers, assuming he makes it through the contest, and with Mathew Head gaining confidence each week they are a real show here.
Match officials: Referee – Shayne Hayne; Sideline Officials – Mohamad Fajajo & David Abood; Video ref – Paul Simpkins.
Televised: Channel Nine – Delayed 4pm
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
Source:
http://www.NRL.com
Round 7: Cronulla Sharks vs Wests Tigers
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