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Sharks v Dolphins: Hynes back on deck; Hammer returns

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Timestamp

Two top-four sides will go head-to-head in Round 15 with the Sharks and Dolphins looking to make a statement against a fellow premiership contender.

Cronulla are hot off their 22-12 win over the Broncos and will be hungry to knock the Storm off top spot on the ladder with a big win at home to kick off the round. 

Returning to Shark Park for the first time since they were kept scoreless by the Panthers in Round 12, Craig Fitzgibbon's side will be looking to make amends with their loyal home fans, having now won four from five home games this season. 

Meanwhile, Felise Kaufusi (Origin) and five-eighth Kodi Nikorima (calf) have been named to return in a boost for the Dolphins, who went down to the Raiders in a golden point thriller before a bye in Round 14. 

Wayne Bennett's side will also welcome back Maroon's superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow who will be looking to carry his superb State of Origin form into the Round 15 clash of the heavyweights.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sharks v Dolphins

Team News

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Nicho Hynes returns after being rested last week and is good to go after taking part in training fully throughout the week. Braden Hamlin-Uele is back on the bench alongside big men Jack Williams, Tom Hazelton and Royce Hunt with Daniel Atkinson the 18th man.

Dolphins: The Dolphins are 1-17 with no late changes. Kodi Nikorima (calf) is back on deck at five-eighth so Anthony Milford makes way. Origin stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi are both back. Tesi Niu dropped out of the reserves when the squad was cut to 19 on Wednesday night and Oryn Keeley is the 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
    Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso  Tabuai-Fidow
  • Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
    Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
  • Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
    Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
  • Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
    Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
  • Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
    Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
  • Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
    Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
  • Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
    Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

  • Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
    Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Kenneath Bromwich
  • Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
    Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
  • Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
    Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Siosifa Talakai
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken
  • Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
    Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Max Plath

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jack Williams
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Thomas Hazelton
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Braden Hamlin-Uele
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Royce Hunt
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Kurt Donoghoe

Reserves

  • Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Daniel Atkinson
    Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Oryn Keeley

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Sharks have won four from five at PointsBet Stadium this season.
  • The Dolphins have lost all three games played at Sydney venues.
  • Sharks left winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 32 tries in 30 games at PointsBet Stadium.
  • Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored eight tries in his last six NRL games.
  • Sharks right winger Sione Katoa has scored six tries in his last seven games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,  

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.