Sharks v Knights: Smale in code switch; Karpani returns
The Sharks have their sights set on a statement victory over the Newcastle Knights as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the NRLW season.
Cronulla have won their first three matches to sit alone on top of the table but they face another challenge on Sunday afternoon when they host the defending premiers at PointsBet Stadium.
The match will be the first of a double-header, with the Sharks and Knights to play an NRL game immediately after the women's contest.
Cronulla came from behind to defeat the Raiders last weekend in an impressive victory in Canberra.
The Knights are desperate to rebound from an 18-10 loss to the Dragons on Sunday night, their first defeat of the season.
Tamika Upton and Jesse Southwell will be crucial to their chances and will look to combine to provide Newcastle an attacking spark.
Match: Sharks v Knights
Round 4 -
home Team
Sharks
1st Position
away Team
Knights
4th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Teams news
Sharks: A surprise inclusion this week for the Sharks who have named rugby sevens player Sharni Smale (née Williams) to make her NRLW debut. Smale recently played for Australia at the Paris Olympics before announcing her retirement from the format. The Sharks have this week also named Vanessa Foliaki to start in the second row in place of Rhiannon Byers who suffered a head knock against Canberra. Emma Tonegato, who has been sidelined by a calf issue, is once again named in the extended squad.
Knights: Newcastle's New Zealand rugby sevens star Tenika Willison has been named for her NRLW debut this week, coming onto the wing for Sheridan Gallagher. Forward Simone Karpani has been named for her first appearance of the season, with Jacinta Carter moving to 18th players. Last week, Caitlan Johnston-Green was ruled out before the game against the Dragons after suffering a knee injury in training in the leadup to the match.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Cassie StaplesFullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Nakia Davis-WelshWinger for Knights is number 2 Tenika Willison
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana PenitaniCentre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa BiddleCentre for Knights is number 4 Abigail Roache
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia RavicsWinger for Knights is number 5 Lilly-Ann White
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Georgia HannawayFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia Roche
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla PrestonHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie JohnstonProp for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy DoddHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Holli WheelerProp for Knights is number 10 Kayla Romaniuk
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke AndersonLock for Knights is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Sharni SmaleInterchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Chloe SaundersInterchange for Knights is number 15 Simone Karpani
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Manilita TakapautoloInterchange for Knights is number 16 Rima Butler
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Tegan DymockInterchange for Knights is number 17 Grace Kukutai
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 19 Leki LeiluaReplacement for Knights is number 18 Jacinta Carter
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Pia TapsellReserve for Knights is number 19 Jules Kirkpatrick
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Emma TonegatoReserve for Knights is number 20 Viena Tinao
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Jaydika TafuaReserve for Knights is number 21 Evie Jones
-
Reserve for Knights is number 22 Isabella Waterman
Sharks Ins
- Emma Tonegato
- Jaydika Tafua
- Pia Tapsell
- Sharni Smale
Knights Ins
- Evie Jones
- Isabella Waterman
- Jules Kirkpatrick
- Simone Karpani
- Tenika Willison
Sharks Outs
- Rhiannon Byers
Knights Ins
- Sheridan Gallagher
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won three from five at PointsBet Stadium.
- The Knights have not been defeated in back-to-back games since 2022.
- Sharks prop Ellie Johnston has scored seven tries in her past eight games.
- Knights fullback Tamika Upton has scored seven tries in her past seven games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
