NRL 2024, New Zealand Warriors, Cronulla Sharks, round 1, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 8 Mar 2024, 05:04 PM

Lofty expectations accompany the Warriors into the new season, while the Sharks go again after another disappointing finals fade out in 2023.

Andrew Webster's side are the hottest sporting ticket in town right now following last year's run to the preliminary finals and as a result Go Media Stadium will likely be packed to the rafters for their season-opener against Craig Fitzgibbon's men.

Both teams had a win and a loss in the Pre-Season Challenge and their most recent hit-outs left plenty of room for improvement, with the Warriors guilty of some big defensive lapses in a 34-22 win over the Dolphins and the Sharks' attack struggling to fire without the injured Nicho Hynes in a 12-6 win against the Bulldogs.

The Warriors won both clashes against Cronulla last year, including a dramatic comeback victory in Round 5 which was recently voted New Zealand's sporting moment of the year.

Last season's loss in Auckland was the first time in four games that the Sharks left Go Media Stadium without the two competition points and all up they've won in nine of 20 trips there.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Warriors v Sharks

Team News

Warriors: No game day changes with the Warriors lining up as named. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (hamstring) won't be risked so Taine Tuaupiki lines up at fullback for his sixth NRL appearance. Luke Metcalf gets the nod at five-eighth with Te Maire Martin in the reserves. Marata Niukore is sidelined with a minor foot fracture. Adam Pompey is 18th man.

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Nicho Hynes (quad) is right to go along with Dale Finucane (calf). Prop Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) is at least another week away so Oregon Kaufusi comes into the starting side. Bench forward Jack Williams plays his 100th NRL game. Kayal Iro is 18th man and Tuku Hau Tapuha was the last man omitted on game day.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 8 Mar

Full Time

Warriors

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Oregon Kaufusi
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Royce Hunt
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Dale Finucane
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Dylan Walker

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Adam Pompey

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Kayal Iro

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:51 PM

Stat Attack

The Warriors have won their past five games at Go Media Stadium.
The Sharks have lost their opening round game in nine of the past 10 seasons.
Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 24 tries in his past 19 NRL games.
Sharks forward Jack Williams will make his 100th NRL appearance in the match.
The Warriors scored 76 points in home and away wins against the Sharks in 2023.