After back-to-back defeats threatened to derail their top-four push, the Sharks head to the Gold Coast desperate to rediscover their winning form. The Titans have little to play for beyond pride, but with an attack capable of troubling any side on its day, Cronulla cannot afford another slip-up.

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Matchday Details

Sunday, 23 August 2026 – 2:00pm AEST – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
📺 Foxtel / Kayo
Referee: Peter Gough | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Gold Coast Titans: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Jaylan De Groot, 3. Jojo Fifita, 4. AJ Brimson, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Jayden Campbell, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Oliver Pascoe, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (c), 11. Arama Hau, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Cooper Bai, 14. Kurtis Morrin, 15. Klese Haas, 16. Chris Randall, 17. Bodhi Sharpley, 18. Luke Sommerton, 19. Siale Faeamani, 20. Adam Christensen, 21. Jett Liu, 22. Tony Francis

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: 1. William Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Mawene Hiroti, 4. KL Iro, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Niwhai Puru, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Blayke Brailey (c), 10. Jesse Colquhoun, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Cameron McInnes, 14. Siosifa Talakai, 15. Billy Burns, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Thomas Hazelton, 18. Hohepa Puru, 19. Braden Uele, 20. Liam Ison, 21. Samuel Stonestreet, 22. Toby Rudolf

Match Preview

They say a week’s a long time in football, but for the Cronulla Sharks, a fortnight is an age.

Two weeks ago they were the form team of the competition with nine wins in 10 games, including five straight.

In the past two weeks their form has nosedived, resulting in losses to St George Illawarra and Canberra, and they will be desperate to beat the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday afternoon to keep their top-four hopes alive.

The Titans, meanwhile, have had a hot and cold season, seemingly taking a step backwards every time they take one forward. Coach Josh Hannay will be keen to see some improvement in his side as they begin to plan for 2027.

Despite a heavy loss to Newcastle last weekend, Hannay has opted against too many changes to the Titans side, with only Josh Patston (concussion) out of the 17, replaced by Arama Hau. Sam Verrills has also dropped off the extended bench with Luke Sommerton replacing him. Jaylan De Groot will retain his place on the wing with Dean Ieremia (hamstring) unavailable. Keano Kini has been named at fullback for his 50th first-grade game.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has been forced into one change, with Braydon Trindall out for several weeks after dislocating his shoulder against Canberra. Niwhai Puru comes into the side at five-eighth for the fourth game of his fledgling career. Addin Fonua-Blake is back from suspension in the front row, with Oregon Kaufusi reverting to the bench.

These two teams love to attack. They both sit in the top five for offloads and average more than 30 tackle breaks per game. Where they differ though is in how they utilise that attack. The Sharks score the second-most points per game (28.76) while the Titans rank 13th (19.67). Much of this is related to ball security, with the Titans making the third-most errors per game (12.3) while the Sharks make the fourth fewest (11). As a result, the Titans average the fifth-most points per game conceded (27) while the Sharks concede the fifth fewest (20.9).

The left wings have been happy hunting grounds for both sides in attack in 2026. Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 10 tries in 12 games for the Sharks (his centre partner KL Iro is their leading tryscorer with 12) while Phillip Sami is leading the way for the Titans with 14. Sami is also just one try away from surpassing Anthony Don’s record of most tries for the club (85).

History is firmly on Cronulla’s side in this match. The Sharks have won 20 of the 30 games between the two teams, including 12 of the past 13. The Sharks have won the past three matches by a combined scoreline of 148-32, with the most recent being a 50-10 thrashing in Round 1 this year. The Titans haven’t beaten the Sharks on the Gold Coast since 2017.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Sharks by 14.
Full Round 25 tips → /nrl-round-25-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Nicho Hynes with four try assists.

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Lachlan Jeffery
Panthers lower grades reporter for The Western Weekender.

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