NRL Round 21 Preview and Prediction - New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla Sharks @ Mount Smart Stadium
New Zealand Warriors (12th) v Cronulla Sharks (4th) @ Mount Smart Stadium
Preview - The Sharks will be tested across the Tasman as they look to keep their Top 4 spot in check as they take on the Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium on Friday night. The Sharks were not at their best last week against the Rabbitohs, however managed to grind out an important 26-12 victory at Shark Park in response to their poor performance against the Titans. The Warriors’ finals’ hopes appear to be getting slimmer by the week despite a gutsy away performance in going down 18-12 to the Cowboys at 1300 Smiles Stadium last Saturday night. The Warriors’ attitude and effort could not be questioned in this game as they competed for 80 minutes in one of their better displays for the year, despite not getting the result they desperately needed.
History - Cronulla have enjoyed taking on the Warriors over the past 5 years winning seven of their last nine meetings against them. Despite the Sharks being dominant the margin of victories have often been very slender with five of the last six decided by four points or less. The Sharks don't mind travelling across the Tasman having won in three of their last four visits to Mount Smart Stadium.
New Zealand Warriors Scouting Report - Coach Stephen Kearney has stuck solid with the same 17 who put in a courageous performance last week against the Cowboys.
Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - The Sharks will be missing one of their key players in five-eight James Maloney for the next month with a broken hand. Utility Fa’amanu Brown moves from hooker into the Number 6 jersey and has become a crucial player for the Sharks with injuries striking in key positions of late. James Segeyaro is fit to start in the hooking role, while strike centre Jack Bird is fit to return with Kurt Capewell going back to the bench.
Verdict - Sharks 1-8 in a high scoring game
The Warriors should test the Sharks being at home, however I can't back them to beat a side that look to be slowly building momentum toward the finals. I don't expect this to be a walkover for the Sharks who at times have really struggled, but ultimately defeated plenty of struggling teams this season. However without Shaun Johnson I just don't know how the Warriors are capable of putting up a winning score, despite their gutsy display last week against the Cowboy on the road. The Sharks, provided they turn up here with the right attitude, defensively should have too many points in them for the Warriors and win this game by at least a try or more. I think this game will be quite high scoring with the Sharks capable of scoring 30 and the Warriors getting roughly 3 tries.