Match 2025 NRL Round 1 - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Penrith Panthers, 8:30pm Saturday 1-Mar-2025 @ Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas (3:30pm Sunday Sydney)

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HaroldBishop

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So with all the talk on other threads that Katoa is expected to be out for up to 12 weeks, who do we think Fitz will choose for the wind spot?

Realistic options (that Firz has done before):

1. Atko
2. SS
3. Hiroti

Before a trial match this year I would have said SS but now not so sure.

This is a big game with a lot of eyes in it. Maybe going for experience might be best with a Hiroti or Atko. I wouldn't normally consider Atko but Fitz does like to use him.

I feel Fitz will go Hiroti.
I don't think there's any doubt Fitz will go with SS
 

SF

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Just need to play to Stonestreet's strengths and adapt to his weaknesses. On kick returns, have Kennedy there in support as an option. The old Whippet-Peachey approach.

If Stonestreet does the kick return, Ramien has to be there for the next hit-up (not Kennedy).
 
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SF

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When do the players leave for Vegas?
They leave for LA on Thursday


Cronulla will leave Australia for the United States on February 20, landing in Los Angeles where they were meant to stay for five nights and hold their main training session.

However, the devastating fires has thrown a spanner in the works, with the Sharks now due to leave for Las Vegas a day earlier on Monday the 24th and do their main session the following day according to Code Sports.

 
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I don't understand the discussion about Sione's replacement, has to be SS. No question.

I love the fact that Penrith will be at full strength, totally agree that we need to play the tops teams with all their players to see what level we are at.
 
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I like SS, he really impressed me with his chances he got last season but must say for his capabilities he rather dissapointed me in the trials as probably a few fans. He bombed a fair amount of tries with just a few simple errors even having plenty of time. Everyone did though a few easy errors bombing tries against Canberra. We could have easily beat them getting a good 50 if we didn't bomb so many.
 
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I like SS, he really impressed me with his chances he got last season but must say for his capabilities he rather dissapointed me in the trials as probably a few fans. He bombed a fair amount of tries with just a few simple errors even having plenty of time. Everyone did though a few easy errors bombing tries against Canberra. We could have easily beat them getting a good 50 if we didn't bomb so many.
I only remember one
I only remember one too, the one he dropped with the line wide open from a Nicho pass.

@sharkboy18 (Hatchy) what were the other ones?
 
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I only remember one too, the one he dropped with the line wide open from a Nicho pass.

@sharkboy18 (Hatchy) what were the other ones?
There probably was only that one, probably just by a few other players were bombed now I think of it. However, I don't think he was entirely comfortable under the HB & number of bombs sent his way.
 

apezza

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I like SS, he really impressed me with his chances he got last season but must say for his capabilities he rather dissapointed me in the trials as probably a few fans. He bombed a fair amount of tries with just a few simple errors even having plenty of time. Everyone did though a few easy errors bombing tries against Canberra. We could have easily beat them getting a good 50 if we didn't bomb so many.
I'm more concerned with his carries out of our end. Something Kotoa does well (has a great ability to bump and run).

Though not sure if Hiroti is any better with his tough runs.
 

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Katoa is 1000X better than SS at the moment just on his tough carries out of our end alone. Gets our sets off to a good start. SS seems to get crunched a lot. Needs to find his front quicker.
 

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I'm more concerned with his carries out of our end. Something Kotoa does well (has a great ability to bump and run).

Though not sure if Hiroti is any better with his tough runs.
Towards the end of last year in NSW Cup, Hiroti looked a lot like Iro, he looked tough.
 
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