Matchday Details
Saturday 11 April – 5.30pm (AEST) – Optus Stadium, Perth
📺 Broadcast: Foxtel / Kayo
Referee: Todd Smith | Bunker: Adam Gee
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: 1. William Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Mawene Hiroti, 4. KL Iro, 5. Samuel Stonestreet, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Nicholas Hynes, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Blayke Brailey (c), 10. Toby Rudolf, 11. Billy Burns, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Jesse Colquhoun, 14. Briton Nikora, 15. Siosifa Talakai, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Thomas Hazelton, 18. Hohepa Puru, 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha, 20. Jayden Berrell, 21. Riley Jones, 22. Chris Vea’ila
Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco (c), 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Hugo Savala, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Daly Cherry-Evans, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Victor Radley, 14. Connor Watson, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Salesi Foketi, 18. Cody Ramsey, 19. Tommy Talau, 20. Benaiah Ioelu, 21. Egan Butcher, 22. Blake Steep
Match Preview
On Saturday evening at Optus Stadium, the west will witness the Round 6 clash between the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and Sydney Roosters, the second game of the Perth double-header, with both sides vying for NRL dominance.
The Sharks will still be on a high and full of confidence following a fantastic performance defending their territory, culminating in a 36-22 win against the Warriors last weekend at home.
Their impeccable defensive and attacking abilities, along with their ball control, possession, field position, and kicking skills, left no room for error and gave them the advantage over a struggling Warriors team last weekend, which grappled with ball-handling errors and fatigue.
The last time these two teams met was in finals week 1 2025 at Sharks Stadium, where the Sharks secured an elimination final win (20-10).
A further boost to their confidence will be the fact that they have won their last four games in Perth and three of their last four games against the Roosters.
The Sharks are presently in sixth place on the ladder as they prepare for their encounter against the 10th-placed Roosters next weekend. They will seek to maintain their winning streak, winning three of their last five games. They possess heightened confidence in their abilities and newfound momentum, demonstrating their capability to accomplish the task.
The Roosters are rested and ready to go after a bye in Round 5.
Their previous match in Round 4 saw them demolish a less-than-perfect Manly Warringah Sea Eagles side (33-16), lacking the guidance of their star DCE, who is now with the Roosters. The Sea Eagles seemed to make errors in judgement. It was clear the Roosters suffered cracks in their defence in the first half. In the second half, the Sea Eagles finally found their rhythm, enhancing their field possession, defence, and attack, while the Roosters took advantage of the Sea Eagles’ ball-handling mistakes.
Although full of belief in their last match against the Sea Eagles, their match against the Penrith Panthers did not yield such promising results, with a devastating loss (40-4) against a fierce Panthers side.
The Roosters so far have lost two matches and won two with one bye and will be hoping to build on their performance in Round 4 with back-to-back wins this weekend.
The Sharks have conceded 118 points and the Roosters have conceded 116 points. With these two teams very closely matched, anything is possible.
The sole alteration to the Sharks line up will be Jesse Ramien’s absence due to a knee injury sustained against the Warriors. Mawene Hiroti will replace him at the centres. Thomas Hazelton will be on the interchange despite an ankle injury, with Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha the new face on the bench to replace Hazelton if necessary.
The Roosters boast an almost full-strength line up with key big gun players back in action, seeing the return of Spencer Leniu, Victor Radley, and Egan Butcher. Billy Smith is out with a knee injury, which will see Hugo Savala replace him in the centres.
The Sharks are exhibiting a strong protective spine. When they play the Roosters, it will be all about the backs.
The Sharks and Roosters sides both present a solid, capable backline, with the Sharks’ key combination of William Kennedy, Braydon Trindall, and Nicholas Hynes; and the Roosters’ James Tedesco, Daly Cherry-Evans, and Sam Walker.
Both spines have demonstrated their excellent offensive skills and collaborate effectively with their squad in terms of setting up play and kicking talent.
All eyes will be on the star fullback Kennedy, the Sharks’ at times quiet achiever, after his stellar performance against the Warriors last weekend. He had key moments, from setting up tries to advancing from the back of the field to making impressive field position. This further underlines his worth and quality as a player.
But the real threat in both teams from their backline could come from the centres and wingers.
The Roosters’ Robert Toia and the Sharks’ KL Iro may compete for field dominance. Toia’s keen playing abilities and seamless ball carriage through the middle of the field, combined with powerful star winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, will put the Sharks’ defence to the test, exploiting any potential weaknesses in their centre and outer edges.
Toia scored a spectacular try against the Sea Eagles in Round 4, grabbing the ball in the air and diving down to score. While Nawaqanitawase cut his way through the outer edge defence, he scored not once but twice. However, they will go up against Sharks centre Iro’s quick eyes, agility, and element of surprise, as well as Sharks winger Samuel Stonestreet’s pace on the outside. Are we also set to witness a dominance fight among the wingers here?
Naufahu Whyte adds another threat to the Sharks’ forward pack. Whyte is known for his heavy hits and explosive runs. Addin Fonua-Blake, the Sharks’ forward enforcer, will be prepared to halt his progress. Whyte has made 17 tackle breaks and 292.3 post contact metres, with an average running distance of 169 metres.
This weekend will be a fight of the heavyweights, a test of strength and endurance as two teams compete to the end, but only one will emerge victorious.
Cherry-Evans requires one try for a century of NRL tries, and could achieve that milestone this weekend. Sharks halfback Hynes needs 12 points to reach a total of 800 points for Cronulla.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Sharks by 6
Bold call: Stonestreet to score in the first 10 minutes of play.
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