NRL trial preview: Sharks v Knights

16 Feb 2024
NRL

An exciting mix of rookies and seasoned players will step out for the Sharks in their opening Pre-Season Challenge clash with the Knights at Gosford's Industree Group Stadium on Saturday.

Lock Cameron McInnes will lead a 26-man squad featuring 14 players with NRL experience in a trial against a Newcastle side containing several of their top guns.

In the absence of big names such as Nicho Hynes, Braydon Trindall, Briton Nikora, Royce Hunt, Blayke Brailey, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Toby Rudolf and Will Kennedy, several youngsters will have the chance to push their claims.

Named at fullback, Kade Dykes will play for the first time in 18 months after overcoming the ACL injury that kept him sidelined last season.

Other players of interest include 21-year-old winger Sam Stonestreet, who is knocking on the door of an NRL debut after a full campaign in the NSW Cup. Centre Kayal Iro, with one first-grade match to his name, is also pressing for a spot.

Niwhai Puru and Daniel Atkinson have been entrusted with steering the ship due to the unavailability of Indigenous All Stars duo Hynes and Trindall.

Former Storm utility Atkinson made his club debut for the Sharks last season, while Puru is yet to feature in the NRL but carved up the Knights in last year's trial.

While Newcastle aren't risking reigning Dally M medallist Kalyn Ponga, Cronulla's defensive systems will be tested by Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble, the playmaking pair that helped inspire the Novocastrians' recent run to the finals.

Title-winning half Jack Cogger will come off the bench in his Knights return.

Acrobatic flanker Sione Katoa brings 89 games of top-flight experience to the Sharks backline and could oppose Newcastle powerhouse Greg Marzhew.

Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has selected a formidable forward pack, with cult hero Tom Hazelton down to start in the front row alongside Oregon Kaufusi.

Jack Williams, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Sifa Talakai and off-season recruit Billy Burns are listed on an extended bench. With unlimited interchanges, Fitzgibbon has the freedom to cycle through his reinforcements on what could be a hot summer day.

Second-rower Teig Wilton will complete his comeback from the knee injury that curtailed his campaign after 20 rounds last year. Wilton is presumably set to line up on his favoured left edge, with rising forward Jesse Colquhoun on the right.

The crafty Jayden Berrell will get valuable game time in the dummy-half role. As Brailey's uncapped understudy, he could be called upon at some stage in 2024. Fellow hooker Sam Healey, the son of club legend Mitch, is in the squad as well.

Like last year, all teams will compete for $100,000 in prize money during the Pre-Season Challenge, with bonus points for tries, line breaks and offloads.

The Sharks came within a whisker of taking out the inaugural cash reward 12 months ago, ultimately being pipped by the Sea Eagles' superior offload count.

Cronulla beat Newcastle 28-16 in their first trial of 2023 at the same venue. 

Saturday's match will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo. Kick off is at 1.45pm.

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