Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 14 clash between the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the New Zealand Warriors.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Vs New Zealand Warriors
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Date: Saturday 7 June, 5:30pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Mawene Hiroti 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Niwhai Puru
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Tom Ale 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Taine Tuaupiki
Referee: Peter Gough
Bunker: Chris Butler
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The atmosphere in the shire will be electrifying as the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks compete for a top four berth when they clash with the New Zealand Warriors at Sharks Stadium on Saturday night.
Following a bye, the Sharks will be motivated and full of energy in their game against the Warriors this weekend, having had time to reflect and remedy their mistakes from their devastating loss against the Sydney Roosters.
Plagued by poor execution and misguided play, the fifth-placed Sharks suffered a crushing defeat in round 12 at the hands of the Roosters in Gosford (42-16).
The Sharks will look to uphold their record of having had more wins at this stadium and overall than their opponents (58 wins for the Sharks and 32 wins for the Warriors). They have also won six of their past eight games and are looking for another win.
However, they will be missing some of their key players: including Ronaldo Mulitalo, who is suspended for one game, Tom Hazelton and Sam Stonestreet, who are out due to injuries. The long-awaited return of the bullet on the outer edge, Sione Katoa, is set to fill Mulitalo’s absence. He might be a difficult competitor against the Warriors’ Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who has scored eight tries in his past six games against the Sharks.
Blayke Brailey potentially could be set to impress, making his 150th NRL appearance, and Teig Wilton’s return to the forward pack could worry the Warriors.
The Sharks should be prepared to face the unexpected against a team like the Warriors. They have won three of their last four games against them, with the last meeting in round 26 of 2024 at this very ground, resulting in a tight victory for the Warriors (30-28).
The third-placed Warriors will be on a high after defeating the South Sydney Rabbitohs 36-30 last weekend. Luke Metcalf made some spectacular plays that helped the Warriors to a win, and he could look to rival Hynes in terms of his kicking skill and ability to move through the field of players.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who made some remarkable line breaks following some equally impressive tries against the Rabbitohs, will be out to make a point. This season, he has made 20 tackle breaks and averaged 174 running metres. He might be an unstoppable force against the Sharks. While Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is set to put Sharks fullback William Kennedy to the test with his speed, having averaged 205 running metres.
The Warriors are set to lose Mitch Barnett as he bows out of the season with an ACL injury suffered during last weekend’s match against the Souths. He will be replaced by Jackson Ford.
This weekend’s battle will be tough between two clubs that pride themselves on their excellent defence, but it might also be their undoing in a game where both teams will give their all.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sharks by 12 points.
Check out our round 14 predictions here.
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