Sharks v Knights preview

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Newcastle Knights
Remondis Stadium - Friday 7:35pm

Can Cronulla make it back-to-back wins or will Newcastle bounce back.

After a slow start to 2015, the Sharks pulled off a sensational win over competition heavyweights the Roosters to post their first win of the season. With starring performances from rookies Valentine Holmes and Jack Bird, the Sharks will be hoping to repeat last Sunday's efforts. With Jack Bird starring against the Roosters, off-season recruit Ben Barba will make his return off the bench. At this stage it is unclear where the former Dally M winner will play, but if Barba can recapture the form he showed during his earlier days at the Bulldogs playing off the bench, the Sharks will be a big chance of pulling off a win for their long suffering fans.

After starting 2015 with four straight wins, the Knights went down at home last Saturday to the Dragons in a 13-0 shutout. To add insult to injury, Newcastle will be without star forward Beau Scott who suffered an ankle injury late in the match. In his place, veteran forward Chris Houston will start in the second row, while Korbin Sims will play alongside his brother for the first time since the 2013 World Cup after returning from suspension. In other changes, David Fa'alogo moves back to the bench, while second rower Joseph Tapine earns his second start of the year following strong performances in NSW Cup.

Last meeting: Round 18 2014 - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 18 Newcastle Knights 31

Who to watch: He may have only played two first grade matches, but Jack Bird has shown tremendous skill already for the Sharks. Coming up with two tries and an assist in last week's upset, the former Dragons Under 20s utility looks to be a star of the future. Running for over 100 metres and making 20 tackles last week, Bird will be out to replicate his performance if the Sharks are to rack up their first win at Remondis Stadium in almost a year.

While he may not hold the same reputation as other members of the Newcastle forward pack, Chris Houston has shown so far in 2015 that he is just as valuable. Averaging 40 tackles a game, the long-serving Knight has proven his worth in Rick Stone's side, making consistent contributions every week. With Beau Scott out, Houston will start for only the fifth time in twelve months, if he is able replicate his starring role against the Panthers, the Knights will go along way towards claiming their fifth win of the year.

The favourite: The Knights hold a great record over the Sharks in recent times, winning 8 of the last 9 clashes, while they haven't lost at Remondis Stadium since 2010.

My tip: After losing to the Dragons at home last week, the Knights will be out to bounce back against the Sharks. Knights by 10.

1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Gerard Beale 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Michael Gordon 6. Jack Bird 7. Jeff Robson 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Michael Ennis 10. Chris Heighington 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Ben Barba 15. Anthony Tupou 16. Matt Prior 17. David Fifita 18. Tinirau Arona 19. Jayson Bukuya

1. Kurt Gidley 2. James McManus 3. Dane Gagai 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. Korbin Sims 11. Chris Houston 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange: 14. Tyler Randell 15. David Fa'alogo 16. Joseph Tapine 17. Jack Stockwell 18. Sione Mata'utia

Referees: Ashley Klein, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Peter Gough; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea;

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