Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 20 clash between the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Sydney Roosters.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Vs Sydney Roosters
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Date: Friday July 18, 6:00pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 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. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Chris Veaila 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Jayden Berrell
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Chad Townsend 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Sandon Smith 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Tom Rodwell
Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Adam Gee
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The road to the finals takes an interesting path on Friday evening when the Sydney Roosters travel to the Sutherland Shire to face the Cronulla Sharks. With the two teams sitting eighth and ninth on the ladder currently, this game could have huge ramifications on the two teams’ finals hopes.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has made one change to the team that beat the Dolphins last Thursday, naming Daniel Atkinson on the bench and moving Billy Burns to 18th man.
The Roosters have been forced into one change from the side that beat the Dragons, with Hugo Savala out due to a hand injury. Former Shark Chad Townsend is a surprise choice at five-eighth, though Sandon Smith has been named among the reserves. Lindsay Collins has been named to start at prop, with Spencer Leniu on the bench in the team’s only other change.
Trent Robinson’s decision to name Townsend has raised some eyebrows, however the desire to have an organising half to partner Sam Walker makes him a worthwhile inclusion. Townsend’s experience could also prove invaluable against Nicho Hynes, after the Sharks halfback put in his best performance of the season to inspire his team to their 24-12 win over the Dolphins.
Opposing front rowers Addin Fonua-Blake and Naufahu Whyte have been among their respective clubs’ best players in 2025 and will need to lay the platform again in this game if they are to win.
The battle on the wings of Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa against Daniel Tupou and Mark Nawaqanitawase will also be well worth watching.
One of the great luxuries for the Sharks has been the ability to name the same 17 players most weeks. They’ve used only 24 players during the season, equal with Canberra for the fewest players used. The Roosters meanwhile have used 30, equal-second most. The combination of Townsend and Walker will be the fourth different halves pairing used by the Roosters this season.
Of the Sharks’ six games after this, only one (Canterbury in round 27) is against a team currently in the top eight. A loss against the Roosters wouldn’t be disastrous, though it would leave them facing an uphill battle to reach the finals. A win would put them in a much better position and let the other teams in the competition know that they’re still a premiership threat.
This match kicks off a nightmare run home for the Roosters, with six of their last eight games against teams in the hunt for finals spots. The famed Bondi Wall was out in force in the second half against St George Illawarra, but they’ll need to avoid a repeat of the opening 17 minutes that saw them concede three tries. A loss wouldn’t be the end of their season, but will leave them in a huge hole. The Roosters have had the better of the two teams in recent years, winning nine of the past 11 games, including four of five at Sharks Stadium. Their last meeting was a stunning 42-16 thrashing at Gosford (round 12), despite the Roosters being without five Origin players and the Sharks at full strength.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sharks by 4 points.
Check out our round 20 predictions here.
What’s your prediction? Drop it in the comments below.
Follow Us on Facebook
