Match 2024 NRL Round 1 New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 7:50 pm Friday 8 March @ Go Media Stadium, Auckland

[Sparkles]

Jesse is also a beast on yardage. Katoa too.

Only way bringing Iro in would upgrade the yardage game would be for him to replace Ronnie or Kennedy. That ain’t happening.

In theory (and really, our attacking stats back it up in 2023) we don't need more strike power over metres in the backline. That doesn't do Iro's case any favours.

Is there a redzone conversation table laying around? I know we do well scoring-wise overall, but it'd be interesting to see where we rank compared to other teams.

 

[andrew's_sharks]

In theory (and really, our attacking stats back it up in 2023) we don't need more strike power over metres in the backline. That doesn't do Iro's case any favours.

Is there a redzone conversation table laying around? I know we do well scoring-wise overall, but it'd be interesting to see where we rank compared to other teams.

We really need to fix our impact in the middle of the field and our edge defence, ruck defence and attitude against top sides.

 

[jocktheshark]

The expectation in NZ on Warriors for this game is huge , way ahead of anything I've seen for many years , they are on the sports news most nights , if not leading the sports then some sort of story , always something about them about them on the online news pages .
The pressure is all on the Warriors for this game , something that they haven't handled well in the past .

 

[Six Again]

I must say if you can get IRO and Sifa in the same side making huge meters it would be handy! in saying that, I would like our props to make more meters and get some momentum through the middle.

Making meters is a plus but not if the other centre is making more as he skips past . Certainly wouldn't want to be testing Iro against RTS & I also believe this is a big risk for us with RTS up against Sifa.

 

[BurgoShark]

We really need to fix our impact in the middle of the field and our edge defence, ruck defence and attitude against top sides.

Middle/ruck was an issue in some games when both BhU and Finucane were missing. Bigger problems against the best teams though were errors in their own end, conceding tries from kicks and/or broken play, and inability to score points when given plenty of good ball sets.

 

[Proud Shark]

Making meters is a plus but not if the other centre is making more as he skips past . Certainly wouldn't want to be testing Iro against RTS & I also believe this is a big risk for us with RTS up against Sifa.

RTS will be against Ramien.

 

[Six Again]

RTS will be against Ramien.

No worries then

 

[Sir Chadley]

I would just like to see us hold the ball better and not get driven back in tackles too often. Really hate it when we get dominated so much.

 

[andrew's_sharks]

Middle/ruck was an issue in some games when both BhU and Finucane were missing. Bigger problems against the best teams though were errors in their own end, conceding tries from kicks and/or broken play, and inability to score points when given plenty of good ball sets.

Errors is a big problem in games against the better sides.

 

[BurgoShark]

Errors is a big problem in games against the better sides.

Specifically I mean dropping it in their own end. Storm game there were 5-6 errors from backs in their own end, plus 2-3 penalties and six-agains by backs which marched the Storm downfield. Then the Storm score 2 tries from kicks and one from broken play and the fans say "forwards are soft". It became a shmozzle after that obviously, but it was momentum and possession. The forwards didn't get them into that situation.

Broncos and Panthers games most tries against were also broken play and kicks.

Edge defence obviously an issue against the Warriors (while missing Teig). Ruck defence also an issue that game (missing BHU and Finucane).

Knights game no Nicho and the Knights had the ball for almost 20 minutes straight. Happy to let that one go through to the keeper.

 

[Thresher]

I'd like to see us protect the fullback and wingers better when they're taking kicks.

Hopefully we've practiced doing this in ways that don't attract penalties.

Also, something we don't seem to do as much as some of the top teams, get in behind the ball carrier when they're being tackled to prevent them being driven back too much.

 

[egg]

I'd like to see us protect the fullback and wingers better when they're taking kicks.

Hopefully we've practiced doing this in ways that don't attract penalties.

Also, something we don't seem to do as much as some of the top teams, get in behind the ball carrier when they're being tackled to prevent them being driven back too much.

Agree
Also all those 10 metre try line Drop Outs will be heading Katoa's way , hopefully he can deal with them .

 

[MrDravid]

The Sharks haven't won a round 1 game outside NSW since 1990

(random fact from Twitter... not fact checked)

 

[HaroldBishop]

The Sharks haven't won a round 1 game outside NSW since 1990

(random fact from Twitter... not fact checked)

Probably haven't played many outside of NSW though.

 

[BurgoShark]

Probably haven't played many outside of NSW though.

Have played 2-3 in Canberra I think.

 

[Western Sharkie]

Have played 2-3 in Canberra I think.

Canberra is surrounded by NSW, so not sure that counts.

 

[Sevshark]

Tuks and Iro retained on extended bench so Nicho definitely playing

 

[Gards]

Agree
Also all those 10 metre try line Drop Outs will be heading Katoa's way , hopefully he can deal with them .

Katoa's brilliant in this regard

But the protection needs to keep an eye on the ball as well and be ready to turn and defend depending where the ball ends up.

Blockers/escorts whatever get tunnel vision sometimes and so busy protecting the kick receiver they forget what happens if he doesn't catch it and it goes to the opposition. This can leave a broken line or short defensively when the ball goes back to the team that kicked it, really dangerous in our own red zone too.

We have conceded trys where we had plenty of potential defensive numbers but they were all too busy trying to block and impede the kick chasers by stopping in the line slowly and watching over their shoulders ect they didn't give themselves a chance to make tackles on their line if they needed to.

Frustrating when it plays out like that, especially as we aren't good actors and get penalised for escorting anyway

 

[Thresher]

Katoa's brilliant in this regard

But the protection needs to keep an eye on the ball as well and be ready to turn and defend depending where the ball ends up.

Blockers/escorts whatever get tunnel vision sometimes and so busy protecting the kick receiver they forget what happens if he doesn't catch it and it goes to the opposition. This can leave a broken line or short defensively when the ball goes back to the team that kicked it, really dangerous in our own red zone too.

We have conceded trys where we had plenty of potential defensive numbers but they were all too busy trying to block and impede the kick chasers by stopping in the line slowly and watching over their shoulders ect they didn't give themselves a chance to make tackles on their line if they needed to.

Frustrating when it plays out like that, especially as we aren't good actors and get penalised for escorting anyway

Yep, we seem to be the worst at it

 

[sharkboy18]

Someone told me today Nicho Hynes is out injured, surely thats not right?