NRL LIVE: Crichton's 48-hour Origin turnaround confirmed as Kikau ...
The Bulldogs have shot out to a 12-6 lead over the Sharks in an energetic start on home soil at Accor Stadium.
A Sharks error in the opening 30 seconds gave the Bulldogs a golden opportunity and they struck. After a repeat set, Viliame Kikau put in a grubber and some confusion over which Cronulla player was going to clean it up the star second-rower pounced on the live ball to score.
The Dogs backed it up 11 minutes later to extend their lead when Reed Mahoney scored out of dummy-half. But the Sharks soon responded through Briton Nikora, who scored under the posts.
It came after the Bulldogs were boosted before kick-off by the addition of captain Stephen Crichton to the 17 just 48 hours after playing State of Origin.
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TEAMS
Bulldogs: 4. Jacob Kiraz 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 23. Stephen Crichton 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Bailey Hayward 1. Blake Taaffe 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi. 18th man: 22. Harry Hayes
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 21. Teig Wilton. 18th man: 18. Daniel Atkinson
