Round 19: Wests Tigers v Sharks preview
A complete mismatch is on the cards as the Cronulla Sharks face the Wests Tigers in what shapes, at least on paper, as one-way traffic on Thursday night.
Cronulla is coming off a dominant 52-16 win over the Dragons and what would have impressed coach Craig Fitzgibbon the most is the way his side really kicked on in the second half after an unconvincing start to the game.
Equally pleasing would have been his team's ball-handling, with the Sharks completing 89 per cent of sets and making just five errors even as they cruised to a comfortable victory.
It would have been all too easy - and forgivable in a lot of ways - for Cronulla to have a few lapses in concentration or even push an unnecessary pass or two.
The Sharks will need to have a similar attitude on Thursday as they prepare to face a Tigers team coming off the back of a 74-0 drubbing at the hands of the Cowboys.
The only major change for Cronulla sees the suspended Dale Finucane drop out with Cameron McInnes taking his place at lock while Jesse Colquhoun joins the bench.
As for the Tigers, David Nofoaluma and Brent Naden are both sidelined through injury while Alex Twal has been wiped out one game for a hip-drop tackle.
Tommy Talau and Asu Kepaoa are the new names in the backline while Aitasi James joins the bench.
Elsewhere, Shawn Blore has moved back to the bench with Fonua Pole starting at lock for John Bateman, who shifts to the edge presumably in an adjustment to shore up the team's defence.
It was a change that certainly needed to be made after they were torn apart out wide last week against a ruthless Cowboys team that avenged a 66-18 drubbing at the hands of the Tigers earlier in the season.
Last meeting: Round 22 2022 - Wests Tigers 12 Sharks 36
Who to watch: If the Tigers are any hope of causing an upset on Thursday they need to first match the Sharks up front and John Bateman is a tone-setter in that regard. Moving Bateman back to the edge should help address some of the defensive deficiencies that saw the Tigers get carved up last week. With the ball in hand though, Bateman does offer variety and an offloading threat that makes him hard to defend. The only problem, however, is when his teammates don't know what is coming or aren't pushing up in support to make the most of his off-the-cuff style. Either way, the Tigers need someone to be a leader in the wake of last Saturday's shocker and Bateman looms at the likeliest option to fill that void.
Given his name has been in the headlines all week, this is just yet another chance for Nicho Hynes to show the Blues what they are missing. Sure, playing the Maroons in the State of Origin arena is a completely different challenge and it's not like there's another game in the series for Hynes to push for selection in. But there is little doubting Hynes was hard done by to not get another look-in even with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai now out of the picture. Hynes tore apart the Dragons last week, finishing with three try assists, just as many linebreak assists and a try. If the Tigers don't aim up in defence they could be in for another long night.
Favourite: The Sharks are obviously well-backed to only add to the Tigers' woes.
My tip: This one will blow out eventually but complacency may keep it close early at least, with the Sharks leaving it until the second half to really gain ascendancy. Sharks by 28.
