NRL Match Preview: Round 27 v Sea Eagles

The Sharks will aim to rev up for the finals with victory over arch-rivals Manly to finish the regular season on Sunday.

A parochial Brookvale crowd will greet Cronulla at a sold-out 4 Pines Park, with the Sea Eagles desperate to secure a home playoff next week.

However, the Sharks are just as eager to claim the Steve Rogers Memorial Trophy in honour of a club legend and bring crucial momentum into week one of the finals.

By the time kick-off rolls around, Cronulla will know whether a win will lift them into third position depending on how the Panthers fare.

While the Sharks have triumphed in their past two matches on Manly’s turf, the Sea Eagles boast an 81% win rate against the Sutherland Shire men at home.

It’s been a fortress in 2024 for Anthony Seibold’s troops, who have lost just one of nine games in front of their northern beaches faithful. But with an impressive 7-4 record on the road this year, Cronulla won’t be daunted by the challenge.

“It’s obviously a good test for what’s coming in the finals,” centre Kayal Iro said.

“We’re going to go into the game with the same mentality every week – to do our best and get a win. Hopefully, it can get us a bit of momentum going into finals.”

Prop Tom Hazelton added: “It’s the Steve Rogers Cup this weekend too, so I’m sure there will be a lot to play for for both teams and it should be a good fixture.”

Finals fever is starting to sweep across the rugby league community, but Hazelton was adamant the Sharks aren’t worrying about anything bar the Sea Eagles.

“It’s exciting,” he said.

“It’s just around the corner and we’re all really looking forward to it, but we have a job to do against a team playing for a lot this weekend.

“They’re a good side no matter where you play them, but they get an extra leg up when they play at home. I’m sure they’ll be raring to go and we’re excited.”

In team news, Kiwi international winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has reclaimed his place after a knee injury at the expense of rookie Sam Stonestreet. Centre Jesse Ramien is back from a one-match ban, with Dan Atkinson shifting to the bench.

Utility forward Siosifa Talakai remains on the extended bench, along with Jayden Berrell, as he closes in on a return from a calf complaint.

The Sea Eagles will be without star fullback Tom Trbojevic (shoulder) and winger Jason Saab (ankle). As a result, speed machine Tolu Koula will line up in the No.1 jersey while Clayton Faulalo has nabbed a place on the flank.

Trbojevic’s absence is an undeniable blow for Manly given they’ve won just 35% of games without him (compared to 61% of games with him) since the start of 2020.

“They’re going to be good regardless of who they put out there,” Sharks second-rower Briton Nikora cautioned. “Their team is stacked with high-quality players, so we just need to make sure we stick to our game plan and do our jobs.”

Kick-off on Sunday is at 2pm, with live coverage on Foxtel and Kayo.

See the updated 24-hour team lists below.

The Sharks will aim to rev up for the finals with victory over arch-rivals Manly to finish the regular season on Sunday.

A parochial Brookvale crowd will greet Cronulla at a sold-out 4 Pines Park, with the Sea Eagles desperate to secure a home playoff next week.

However, the Sharks are just as eager to claim the Steve Rogers Memorial Trophy in honour of a club legend and bring crucial momentum into week one of the finals.

By the time kick-off rolls around, Cronulla will know whether a win will lift them into third position depending on how the Panthers fare.

While the Sharks have triumphed in their past two matches on Manly’s turf, the Sea Eagles boast an 81% win rate against the Sutherland Shire men at home.

It’s been a fortress in 2024 for Anthony Seibold’s troops, who have lost just one of nine games in front of their northern beaches faithful. But with an impressive 7-4 record on the road this year, Cronulla won’t be daunted by the challenge.

“It’s obviously a good test for what’s coming in the finals,” centre Kayal Iro said.

“We’re going to go into the game with the same mentality every week – to do our best and get a win. Hopefully, it can get us a bit of momentum going into finals.”

Prop Tom Hazelton added: “It’s the Steve Rogers Cup this weekend too, so I’m sure there will be a lot to play for for both teams and it should be a good fixture.”

Finals fever is starting to sweep across the rugby league community, but Hazelton was adamant the Sharks aren’t worrying about anything bar the Sea Eagles.

“It’s exciting,” he said.

“It’s just around the corner and we’re all really looking forward to it, but we have a job to do against a team playing for a lot this weekend.

“They’re a good side no matter where you play them, but they get an extra leg up when they play at home. I’m sure they’ll be raring to go and we’re excited.”

In team news, Kiwi international winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has reclaimed his place after a knee injury at the expense of rookie Sam Stonestreet. Centre Jesse Ramien is back from a one-match ban, with Dan Atkinson shifting to the bench.

Utility forward Siosifa Talakai remains on the extended bench, along with Jayden Berrell, as he closes in on a return from a calf complaint.

The Sea Eagles will be without star fullback Tom Trbojevic (shoulder) and winger Jason Saab (ankle). As a result, speed machine Tolu Koula will line up in the No.1 jersey while Clayton Faulalo has nabbed a place on the flank.

Trbojevic’s absence is an undeniable blow for Manly given they’ve won just 35% of games without him (compared to 61% of games with him) since the start of 2020.

“They’re going to be good regardless of who they put out there,” Sharks second-rower Briton Nikora cautioned. “Their team is stacked with high-quality players, so we just need to make sure we stick to our game plan and do our jobs.”

Kick-off on Sunday is at 2pm, with live coverage on Foxtel and Kayo.

See the updated 24-hour team lists below.