Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Quarter-Final
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Sharks Stadium hosts a sudden-death Sydney derby between the Sharks and the red-hot Roosters.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Cronulla Sharks team news
The Cronulla Sharks are significantly boosted by the return of five-eighth Braydon Trindall and the crucial clearance of star halfback Nicho Hynes, who avoided suspension. Back-rower Briton Nikora may also be a late inclusion from the reserves, while Oregon Kaufusi also returns via the bench although he could start as usual with Toby Rudolf used off the bench where he generally has more impact.
Squad: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3 Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Oregon Kaufusi 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Briton Nikora 22. Hohepa Puru
Sydney Roosters team news
The Sydney Roosters have named an unchanged 17 from the side that dismantled the South Sydney Rabbitohs, with key forward Victor Radley free to play after escaping a charge with a fine.
Squad: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Egan Butcher 16. Blake Steep 17. Siua Wong 18. Ethan King 19. Salesi Foketi 20. Sandon Smith 21. Tom Rodwell 22. Makahesi Makatoa
Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters prediction
The Cronulla Sharks (5th) enter with strong form, while the Sydney Roosters (8th) have stormed into the finals as the competition's most dangerous dark horse.
Recent Form:
The Cronulla Sharks are in impressive form, winning four of their last five, including a dominant 24-6 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs to end the regular season.
The Sydney Roosters are the form team of the NRL, winning four of their last five with their attack firing, culminating in a 36-6 demolition of South Sydney in Round 27.
Key Stats
- The Sharks have lost all three of their finals games against the Roosters
- The Roosters have won nine of their past 12 games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks have won their last six games at Sharks Stadium.
- Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored seven tries in his last two games. He finished as the NRL's top try-scorer with 23 tries this season, his first full season of League since switching from Union midway through 2024.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 45 tries in 42 games at Sharks Stadium.
- Sharks Captain and hooker Blayke Brailey led the entire NRL in tackles (1,073) making him a central figure in the middle of their defensive line.
Head-to-Head:
The Roosters have won eight of the last ten encounters, but the teams split their two meetings in 2025. The Sharks won the most recent clash 31-18 at home in Round 20
The clearance of Nicho Hynes provides a massive psychological lift for the Sharks. The key to this match will be the battle of the forward packs. Cronulla's pack, led by Addin Fonua-Blake, is one of the few with the size to match the Roosters' formidable middle, and their recent victory provides a clear blueprint for success. At home and at near full strength, the Sharks are well-positioned to halt the Roosters' charge. To do so, they must overcome their recent finals wobbles and perennial underachiever tag. The Roosters attacking power out wide has been a juggernaut of late and this may prove the difference again.
Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters tip: Sydney Roosters to win
