Matchday Details
Sunday 3 May 2026– 4.05pm (AEST) – Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Nine Now / Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Todd Smith | Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: 1. William Kennedy, 2. Mawene Hiroti, 3. Siosifa Talakai, 4. KL Iro, 5. Samuel Stonestreet, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Nicholas Hynes, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Blayke Brailey (c), 10. Toby Rudolf, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Cameron McInnes, 14. Jesse Colquhoun, 15. Billy Burns, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Thomas Hazelton, 18. Hohepa Puru, 19. Braden Uele, 20. Riley Jones, 21. Niwhai Puru, 22. Chris Vea’ila
Wests Tigers: 1. Sunia Turuva, 2. Jeral Skelton, 3. Taylan May, 4. Starford To’a, 5. Luke Laulilii, 6. Jarome Luai (c), 7. Adam Doueihi, 8. Terrell May, 9. Tristan Hope, 10. Fonua Pole, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Tony Sukkar, 13. Alex Twal, 14. Jock Madden, 15. Sione Fainu, 16. Royce Hunt, 17. Alex Seyfarth, 18. Latu Fainu, 19. Faaletino Tavana, 20. Patrick Herbert, 21. Bunty Afoa, 22. Charlie Murray
Match Preview
After a devastating loss to the Cowboys last weekend, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks will be hopeful that a home game, as well as the energy and support of their fans, will boost their confidence as they face the in-form Wests Tigers and compete for a spot in the top eight on Sunday afternoon at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Following a bye, the Sharks suffered a crushing defeat to the North Queensland Cowboys last Saturday, 46-34. Still bruised by their Round 6 loss to the Roosters (34-22), they dropped to ninth place.
So far this season, the Sharks (3-4-1) have conceded 198 points, averaging 28 points per game, including the loss to the Cowboys.
Coach Fitzgibbon is concerned the team’s momentum and cohesiveness are not consistent and that they need to work harder if they are to succeed.
However, the Sharks have fared better at home, winning nine of their last 10 games. Their home record versus the Tigers is favourable, with the last five games at Ocean Protect Stadium all ending in victories.
The Tigers (5-2) remain full of confidence, currently holding the competition’s second-best defensive record, having won one of their biggest games last Thursday night, 33-14 at Leichardt Oval against the Canberra Raiders.
Coach Marshall has full belief in his team’s abilities, particularly their defence. He believes that the key to winning is to play with passion and aggression.
The Tigers are third on the ladder: while only allowing 127 points this season, they are averaging 18 points per game, a major improvement over their 2025 season, when they conceded 29.1 points, and they are scoring significantly better than the Sharks currently. This season they have improved dramatically, with three consecutive wins between Rounds 4 and 6.
The Sharks will try to turn things around against an in-form Tigers line-up, knowing that defence and team cohesion will be critical to a home victory. They last faced the Tigers in Round 8 of 2025, when the Tigers narrowly defeated them 20-18 at Leichardt Oval.
The only changes to the Sharks’ line-up will be Cameron McInnes, who made his comeback from an ACL injury last week, cementing his place in the starting line-up. Briton Nikora moves to the back row, while Billy Burns moves to the interchange alongside Braden Uele.
The Tigers’ line-up reshuffles, after what may be a severe setback with the suspension of Api Koroisau, and Tristan Hope will replace him. Sunia Turuva replaces Jahream Bula at fullback after aggravating a shoulder injury against the Raiders. Jeral Skelton will play on the wing, and Kai Pearce Paul has been replaced by Tony Sukkar due to a head knock. Faaletino Tavana has recovered from a hamstring injury and will take his place on the interchange bench alongside Latu Fainu.
It will be an interesting contest given the Tigers’ energy level this season, which has increased dramatically from last year, and whether the Sharks can match it.
Both teams have formidable forward packs, with exceptional players to watch, including the Tigers’ Samuela Fainu. A rising star, he is known for his power, footwork, and tackle-breaking talents. He made his presence known in the previous game against the Raiders and will be looking to prove himself again against the Sharks, but he will be tested when he faces Sharks’ enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake, who makes his presence known on the field and is recognised for his potent blend of aggression, power, stamina, and skill.
The spines of both teams also look to pack a punch, exhibiting strong and powerful players, with the halves providing the main threat. The contest might pit Sharks five-eighth Brayden Trindall and halfback Nicho Hynes against Tigers halfback Adam Doueihi and five-eighth Jarome Luai.
When Trindall works with Hynes, he can be unstoppable. His kicking skill is superb, and he has given the Sharks breathing room and excellent field position in recent games, in addition to his ability to cut through the defensive line.
While the Tigers’ strike force of Doueihi and Luai are an equally dangerous combination, they will need to execute and guide the play in Koroisau’s absence alongside replacement Hope.
But everyone is talking about Douehi’s play lately and being a contender for the NSW Origin squad. He has been a vital facilitator for the Tigers, guiding his team, and his ball carriage, offloads, attacking, kicking, line-breaking abilities and defence have all been outstanding. He travels effortlessly through the field and will pose a challenge to the Sharks. This season, he has made 30 tackle breaks and averaged 156 running metres. He could be crucial to the Tigers’ success.
The Sharks face a further threat waiting in the wings from the Tigers on their outer edge, young gun Luke Laulilii, who showed off his skills against the Raiders on Thursday night. He has scored four tries in six games this year. Since his NRL debut, he has scored eight tries in 14 matches. He might be a formidable opponent for Sharks winger Samuel Stonestreet.
This weekend, it might be a thrilling and unexpected battle of the centres that turns the game on its head, with an unaware menace lurking in the centres: KL Iro used as a hidden weapon by the Sharks when needed. He is unexpected and quick on his feet. He displayed his brilliance in his abilities against the Cowboys last weekend, scoring three tries for the Sharks. He may be extremely dangerous if the Tigers do not close the vulnerabilities in their middle defence exposed against the Raiders last weekend. The Tigers’ Taylan May has the same speed and abilities as Iro, and May is known for his explosive carries and try-scoring ability. It could be quite the contest between these two in the path to securing a victory for their team.
This weekend, both teams’ unity and defence will be tested to the limit in a tough battle that can only have one winner.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Tigers by 12.
Bold call: Doueihi goes in for a double.
Related
- NRL Round 9 Predictions
- NRL Round 9 Team Lists
- NRL Round 9 Hub
- NRL Injury List
- NRL Match Review Tracker
