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Sharks v Wests Tigers: Hynes, Talakai out; Lobb in for Olam

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After their third straight close loss, the Sharks will be hoping their fortunes change when they host an improving Wests Tigers at PointsBet Stadium.

Cronulla have gone down in their past three matches by a margin of four points or less. Last week they fought back from a 12-0 deficit at half-time against the Titans and scored three second-half tries at Coffs Harbour, but it was too little too late.

In a big blow before this week's game, Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has been ruled out after injuring his ankle at training on Monday. The 28-year-old was sent for scans to determine the severity of the injury and is out for eight weeks. 

Cronulla with also be without Siosifa Talakai after he accepted a one-match ban for a high tackle on Titans hooker Sam Verrills.

The Tigers went down fighting against the Storm in Round 18 and even stunned the top-of-the-table team by scoring the first try of the match, but they could not maintain their focus, with their inconsistency proving a hurdle to overcome this season.

Tigers captain Api Koroisau will be free to play with an early guilty plea after being charged with dangerous contact, as will prop David Klemmer who was charged for a high tackle.

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Team News

Sharks: Halfback Nicho Hynes won't play after injuring his ankle at training on Monday so Braydon Trindall shifts to No.7 and Daniel Atkinson will wear the No.6. Sione Katoa returns on the wing after missing Round 18 under the concussion protocol. Teig Wilton starts in the back row with Siosifa Talakai suspended while Jesse Colquhoun and Braden Hamlin-Uele are the new faces on the bench. One hour before kick-off, outside back Chris Vea'ila is the 18th man, with prop Tuku Hau Tapuha dropping off the extended bench.

Wests Tigers: Alexander Lobb comes in on the wing with Solomona Faataape shifting to the centres and Justin Olam sidelined by a knee injury. Justin Matamua is out of the squad, with on the bench Reuben Porter. An hour before kick-off, Josh Feledy remains as 18th player in jersey 21, with Jordan Miller dropping from the squad.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
  • Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Alex Lobb
  • Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam Doueihi
  • Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Solomona Faataape
  • Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
  • Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
  • Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer

Forwards

  • Prop for Sharks is number 8 Royce Hunt
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu 
  • Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
  • Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 John Bateman
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu
  • Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jesse Colquhoun
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Heath Mason
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Thomas Hazelton
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Reuben Porter
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 23 Alex Seyfarth

Reserves

  • Replacement for Sharks is number 19 Chris Vea'ila
    Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 21 Josh Feledy

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Sharks have won 10 of their past 12 games against the Tigers.
  • The Tigers have not defeated the Sharks twice in the same season since 2014.
  • Sharks winger Sione Katoa has scored seven tries in his past four games against the Tigers.
  • Wests Tigers have conceded 138 points in their last three away games.
  • Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 33 tries in 31 games at PointsBet Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,  

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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.