Round 21 Cronulla Sutherland Sharks v New Zealand Warriors Saturday 1st August 2015 3:00pm @ Mt Smart Stadium

[hitman124]

To be honest just as concerned about this game as I was last week, it's gonna be tough with the players we have out.

 

[Thresher]

At least, as a result of our terrible run last year, our replacement players have plenty of 1st grade experience.

 

[BlackWhiteBlue]

At least, as a result of our terrible run last year, our replacement players have plenty of 1st grade experience.

I think its very valuable. Look at other sides like saints or tigers or newy. Inexperienced and look like us last year. You live and learn

 

[stormshark]

Time for Prior,Bakuya and co to step up and prove their up to it.Didnt The Love detective get owned by the beast last time round?We gotta back up recent form'with a total team effort,no weakies or players having off games this week!

 

[Bundy Shark]

How the **** are we not favourites to beat a team missing its most important player?? Fair enough no fifita but still

I'm not fussed if we aren't favourites, don't know the percentages but it feels like we lose more games when we are favourites.

 

[snowman]

Load up on us if we arent favourites

 

[CHOGM]

I think we win this with Toops back. With him on the right I'm less worried about losing Lewis although it's still a huge loss. Predicting Val and Bird to run off a few Toops offloads.

Would prefer they play Roqica over Arona.

 

[Addy]

GONE SHARKIES!!!!

 

[BlackWhiteBlue]

Load up on us if we arent favourites

Yeah ill have a sneaky on it.

I reckon we could win this 13+

 

[CrazyMatt]

How the **** are we not favourites to beat a team missing its most important player?? Fair enough no fifita but still

I'm happy we're not, we play better.

 

[vicsharkfan]

With Them missing SJ, I was worried we might get a little complacent but now with no Fifitas, I'm hoping that will help us focus on the job required.

 

[sharks2010]

With Them missing SJ, I was worried we might get a little complacent but now with no Fifitas, I'm hoping that will help us focus on the job required.

plus no lewis, he's going to be a huge loss to us, not going to be easy to beat them over there with a weakened forward pack

 

[Bigberm]

who'd you replace?

Ricky.

Why he's been good?

 

[Sir Chadley]

Yep, IMO, Lewis is way more a loss than the Fifita boys. It's easily his best year for us and he keeps scoring tries.

 

[sharks2010]

Yep, IMO, Lewis is way more a loss than the Fifita boys. It's easily his best year for us and he keeps scoring tries.

i wouldn't go that far, Andrew has been brilliant and Dave has done his job coming off the bench. Wouldn't say lewis is way more of a loss, just my opinion of course

 

[slide rule]

I'm actually not that upset that Lewis is out, even though he's hurt, in a way he's being placed in cotton wool.

The timing of this injury is right for him to come back and tear up the finals. :good:

 

[gando2230]

Sharks

1. Michael Gordon
2. Sosaia Feki
3. Gerard Beale
4. Ricky Leutele
5. Valentine Holmes
6. Jack Bird
7. Jeff Robson
8. Chris Heighington
9. Michael Ennis
10. Sam Tagataese
11. Anthony Tupou
12. Wade Graham
13. Paul Gallen

14. Ben Barba
15. Matt Prior
16. Tinirau Arona
17. Jayson Bukuya
21. Junior Roqica

do you reckon thats how they will run out, i thought pior would start front row instead of Heighno, Heighno into 2nd row for Tupou,
Tupou of the bench??
surely Tupou can start after having his jaw smashed to pieces whats it been 11 rounds or something will the massive warrior forwards running at him.

 

[sharkyboy]

I'm actually not that upset that Lewis is out, even though he's hurt, in a way he's being placed in cotton wool.

The timing of this injury is right for him to come back and tear up the finals. :good:

100%. If he's fit you have to play him, but the fact he's been forced to have 2 weeks rest is absolute gold for his body and therefore for the side.

I wouldn't be distressed if we won and bird picked up a slight head knock and got a weeks rest or something that would be able to give him 10 days without big contact

 

[HaroldBishop]

100%. If he's fit you have to play him, but the fact he's been forced to have 2 weeks rest is absolute gold for his body and therefore for the side.

I wouldn't be distressed if we won and bird picked up a slight head knock and got a weeks rest or something that would be able to give him 10 days without big contact

Do you reckon we win this mate?

 

[sharkyboy]

Do you reckon we win this mate?

I think we should win and should win well. No Johnson or Thompson are huge losses for the Warriors.

Fifitas and Lewis are big losses but are manageable. Prior and bukuya and toops are all still really good first graders imo and maybe sharing the workload with the bench a bit more will be beneficial to the side.

As I said I think we should win well and anything less is a pretty big disappointment for me.