Matchday Details
Sunday, 5 April 2026– 2.00pm (AEST) – Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
📺 Broadcast: Foxtel / Kayo
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski | Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 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. Siosifa Talakai, 15. Thomas Hazelton, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Braden Uele, 18. Mawene Hiroti, 19. Hohepa Puru, 20. Jayden Berrell, 21. Michael Gabrael, 22. Briton Nikora
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Luke Metcalf, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark, 14. Sam Healey, 15. Marata Niukore, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 18. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 20. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 21. Morgan Gannon, 22. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 23. Ali Leiataua
Match Preview
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks will seek redemption in Round 5 against the second-placed New Zealand Warriors at Ocean Protect Stadium on Easter Sunday afternoon as they fight to defend their territory and advance up the ladder.
The Sharks have won eight out of their past nine games at Ocean Protect Stadium. However, their only home win this season came in Round 1 against the Gold Coast Titans, and they will be eager to build consistency after a mixed start to the year, having won two of their opening four matches, most recently a 34‑22 victory over the Canberra Raiders.
The previous meeting between the Warriors and the Sharks was in Round 14 of the 2025 season at Shark Park. To the surprise of the home crowd, the Warriors dominated the contest, cruising to a 40‑10 win.
The Sharks will again be searching for redemption this weekend, but they know they will have their work cut out for them. Confidence has returned after last week’s result, but execution will be key against one of the competition’s form sides.
The Warriors enjoyed a stellar start to the season, winning their first four games and showing resilience despite missing key personnel at various stages.
That momentum came to a halt last Friday night against the West Tigers, with the Warriors falling 32‑14. After a strong first half, lapses in discipline proved costly, with errors and penalties allowing the Tigers to seize control. They will be eager to bounce back quickly on Sunday afternoon.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has shown faith in the same 17 players who secured victory last weekend. Back‑rower Briton Nikora returns, while Mawene Hiroti earns a spot on the interchange bench. Toby Rudolf retains his place in the starting front row, with Tom Hazelton again set to provide impact off the bench.
Mitch Barnett is out of action for the Warriors due to a broken thumb. Demitric Vaimauga’s inclusion on the interchange bench is the only change to the side that lost to the West Tigers, while Morgan Gannon has been named among the reserves.
This matchup looms as a fascinating battle of the spines, with both sides boasting powerful and creative backlines.
For Cronulla, the spotlight will be on playmakers Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes, with outside backs Sione Katoa and Samuel Stonestreet primed to benefit. Their speed and unpredictability generate strong yardage and pose a genuine threat, particularly on the Warriors’ edges.
Trindall has scored five tries in his past six games at Ocean Protect Stadium and has been influential early in the season, averaging 432 kicking metres per game, alongside six try assists and four line breaks.
Up front, the Sharks will look to Addin Fonua-Blake against his former team to set the tone. His ability to break through the line will be crucial. Paired with Teig Wilton and Toby Rudolf, they will do their best to stave off any threat offered by James Fischer-Harris and his Warriors’ pack. These are powerful forwards who could produce an intriguing outcome.
The Warriors’ spine is equally dangerous, with Luke Metcalf and Tanah Boyd steering the side alongside Charnze Nicoll‑Klokstad and Dallin Watene‑Zelezniak. Nicoll‑Klokstad has been particularly damaging this season, averaging 102 running metres and 14 tackle breaks, while Watene‑Zelezniak continues to terrorise edge defenders with 104 running metres and 15 tackle breaks.
This weekend’s game will be a test of strength and stamina, but playing ability will be the key to deciding the outcome.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Sharks by 12
Bold call: A try-scoring blitz by the Sharks players Sione Katoa and Samuel Stonestreet
Related
- NRL Round 5 2026 Predictions & Tips
- NRL Round 5 Team Lists – 2026 Season
- NRL 2026 Results Tracker
- 2026 NRL Match Review Results Tracker: Charges, Suspensions & Fines
- NRL Injury List 2026
