Sharks v Warriors: Nikora in the mix; Vaimauga steps up
The Sharks are looking to put on a show in the Sunday afternoon sunshine when they host the Warriors in an early clash between two premiership contenders.
Cronulla returned to form last week with an impressive win over the Raiders in Canberra and they are looking to keep the momentum rolling on their home turf.
On their day, the Sharks are one of the most entertaining sides in the competition. Halves Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes pull the strings, fullback Will Kennedy brings a dynamic X-factor, and wingers Sam Stonestreet and Sione Katoa are two of the best finishers in the game.
The Warriors don't lack firepower out wide either, with halfback Tanah Boyd enjoying a breakout season.
The playmaker's combination with Luke Metcalf will continue to grow after the five-eighth completed his comeback from an ACL tear in last week's loss to the Wests Tigers.
The battle up front will be just as interesting, with Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake going up against his former team.
The visitors will be led by enforcer James Fisher-Harris, however they have been dealt a blow after Mitch Barnett was ruled out with a broken thumb.
Match: Sharks v Warriors
Round 5 -
home Team
Sharks
8th Position
away Team
Warriors
3rd Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Sharks: Briton Nikora is on track to come into the side after recovering from a broken nose. The edge forward was named in the reserves but has been elevated into the 19 after getting through the captain's run. Mawene Hiroti is also in the mix to return to the side after making a successful comeback from a knee injury in reserve grade last week. Hiroti remained on the bench after the squad was trimmed to 20 on Saturday. Craig Fitzgibbon's top 17 remains unchanged with Toby Rudolf retaining his place in the starting front row with Tom Hazelton again set to come off the bench.
Warriors: English secondrower Morgan Gannon and winger Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira have been omitted for Sunday’s clash against Cronulla at Ocean Protect Stadium. Centre Ali Leiataua, listed in jersey #23, remains among the reserves. The only change to the 19 from last week is the inclusion of Demitric Vaimauga after Mitch Barnett was struck down with a broken thumb.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Warriors is number 3 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL IroCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel StonestreetWinger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah Boyd
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby RudolfProp for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse ColquhounLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Marata Niukore
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Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
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Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Mawene HirotiInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith
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Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Hohepa PuruInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Interchange for Sharks is number 22 Briton NikoraInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Michael GabraelReserve for Warriors is number 23 Ali Leiataua
Sharks Ins
- Briton Nikora
- Mawene Hiroti
- Michael Gabrael
Warriors Ins
- Ali Leiataua
- Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Sharks Outs
- Braden Uele
- Chris Vea'ila
Warriors Ins
- Mitchell Barnett
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won eight of their last nine games at Ocean Protect Stadium.
- The Warriors have won four of their last five games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks are aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time in 2026.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored nine tries in his last seven games against the Sharks.
- Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall has scored five tries in his last six games at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
