Match Preview: NRL Round 5 vs. Sharks

Wests Tigers will look to bounce back from a disappointing Easter Monday defeat when they take on the Cronulla Sharks this Saturday at Campbelltown Stadium.

Jason Taylor’s side produced an outstanding defensive performance against the Eels last weekend but were unable to deliver a similarly strong effort in attack, with errors and a lack of patience seeing them fall to a frustrating 8-0 defeat in the end.

They’ll no doubt be looking to turn that around this week and find some attacking success at Campbelltown, a ground they’ve scored 84 points at in their last two appearances.

It won’t be an easy task this week, facing a Cronulla side that moved to 2-2 for the season with a hard-fought win over the Melbourne Storm also on Easter Monday.

Shane Flanagan’s side have also been boosted by the return of captain Paul Gallen this week as they look to win their first game at Campbelltown Sports Stadium since 2002.

In what is already shaping as a tough battle in the forwards, the five-day turnaround both sides have had for the game also won’t make things easy, with the way both coaches use their interchanges on the day certainly an intriguing storyline to follow.

Don't miss Saturday afternoon footy in Campbelltown as we take on the Sharks!

Match Details

Date — Saturday, April 2, 2016

Time — 5:30pm AEDT

Venue — Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Match Officials

On-Field Referees — Adam Devcich and Chris James

Touch Judges — Russell Turner and Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski

Review Officials — Matt Cecchin and Ben Galea

TV, Live Stream and Radio Information

TV — Live via Fox Sports 1 (subscription required)

Live Stream — Foxtel Go, NRL Digital Pass (subscription required)

Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 873 2GB (check local guides)

Confirmed Squads

The return of Chris Lawrence (suspension) and Dene Halatau to the back row sees Kyle Lovett and Josh Aloiai return to the bench, Robbie Farah start in the No. 9 jersey and Jack Buchanan return to 18th man duties. Paul Gallen's (knee) return from injury sees Gerard Beale drop off the bench in the only change for Cronulla following their eight-point win over Melbourne.

2016 Recent Results

Wests Tigers

R1 — Wests Tigers 34 def. New Zealand Warriors 26

R2 — Wests Tigers 36 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 22

R3 — Gold Coast Titans 30 def. Wests Tigers 18

R4 — Parramatta Eels 8 def. Wests Tigers 0

Cronulla Sharks

R1 — North Queensland Cowboys 20 def. Cronulla Sharks 14

R2 — Cronulla Sharks 30 def. St. George-Illawarra Dragons 2

R3 — Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 22 def. Cronulla Sharks 12

R4 — Cronulla Sharks 14 def. Melbourne Storm 6

Last Time They Met — Cronulla Sharks 40 def. Wests Tigers 18 (Rd.24, 2015)

It was a disappointing result last time out for Wests Tigers, who fell to the Cronulla Sharks 40-18 at Remondis Stadium. Trailing 20-6 at half-time, Wests Tigers fought their way back into the contest with two second-half tries, but the Sharks kicked to another gear, with a double to Valentine Holmes allowing the hosts to emerge 22-point winners.

The History

·       Against the Sharks — Played 26, Won 17, Lost 8, Drawn 1

·       At Campbelltown — Played 4, Won 3, Lost 1

The Threat to Watch — Ben Barba

Returning to career-best form so far in 2016, Ben Barba was a standout for the Sharks last week against the Storm and looms as a big threat to watch this week. The fullback cut straight through the defence to score his side’s first try of the game, but was constantly a threat out the back — breaking five tackles in the match and recording 134 metres on the ground. It’s shaping as a blockbuster clash between the two fullbacks this week indeed!

Three Final Facts

·       Wests Tigers have won nine of their last 15 Saturday games at Campbelltown

·       James Tedesco (5) and Kevin Naiqama (4) are the top two try-scorers in the NRL

·       David Nofoaluma has scored eight tries in eight games at Campbelltown