Cronulla Sharks vs Wests Tigers Preview & Prediction | NRL 2024 | Regular Season
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Any hopes of landing the minor Premiership have evaporated for Cronulla Sharks after a poor run of form. They have lost five of their last six and will view this clash with Wests Tigers as a must-win affair.
START DATE/TIME: UK - Friday 12th July, 2024 - 11:00a / AUS - 8:00p / US EST - 6:00a / US PST - 3:00a
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will not be broadcast live in the UK / This match will be broadcast live on Fox League and Nine in Australia / This match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports in the US
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the UK / This match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and 9Now in Australia / This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the US
CRONULLA SHARKS FORM: THREE STRAIGHT LOSSES FOR SHARKS
The Sharks have now fallen six points behind leaders Melbourne Storm and their top four spot is in serious jeopardy having lost three-in-a-row. They were poor last week and suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of Gold Coast Titans.
LAST FIVE: LWLLL
WESTS TIGERS FORM: WESTS CONCEDE 40 AGAIN
For the second week in succession, Wests shipped 40 points. Melbourne proved to be too good for them but they did at least post 28 points in return, a big improvement on their last showing.
LAST FIVE: LWWLL
CRONULLA SHARKS TEAM NEWS: HYNES OUT FOR TWO MONTHS
Nicho Hynes has come under some scrutiny of late but he remains a key player for the Sharks and they will be without him for a prolonged period after he suffered an ankle injury at training on Monday. Daniel Atkinson comes into the halves while Sione Katoa is back on the wing.
Starting 13: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Royce Hunt 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Bench: 14. Jesse Colquhoun 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Chris Veaila 20. Billy Burns 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Jayden Berrell
WESTS TIGERS TEAM NEWS: OLAM SIDELINED AGAIN
Justin Olam returned to the side last week but has succumbed to another injury so will be missing here. Alexander Lobb comes onto the wing with Solomona Faataape shifting inside to the centres.
Starting 13: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Alexander Lobb 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. John Bateman 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Fonua Pole Bench: 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Reuben Porter Reserves: 18. Justin Matamua 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Starford To'a 21. Josh Feledy 22. Jordan Miller
CRONULLA SHARKS VS WESTS TIGERS PREDICTION
Cronulla Sharks have not been at the races of late and have forgotten how to win close games. This is now an important game for them as they aim to remain in the top four but they will have to cope without Nicho Hynes for this contest and the foreseeable future which could impact the way they play. Wests Tigers will hope to throw another spanner in the works but they will need to hugely improve on their defensive efforts having shipped 80 points across their last two games so side with the hosts in this one.
CRONULLA SHARKS VS WESTS TIGERS TIP: CRONULLA SHARKS TO WIN
