2021 NRL – Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights taking place? Sunday 15th August, 2021 – 07:00 (UK)

Where is Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights taking place? Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Where can I get tickets for Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches

What channel is Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here

Where can I stream Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL

THE TEAM NEWS

CRONULLA SHARKS

Starting 13: Kennedy, Katoa, Talakai, Ramien, Mulitalo, Tracey, Trindall, Hamlin-Uele, Brailey, Woods, Nikora, Jack Williams, Rudolf – Interchanges: Metcalf, Tolman, Fifita, Magoulias – Reserves: Lualua, Chambers, O’Donnell, Hiroti

Unavailable: Bronson Xerri (Suspended), Jackson Ferris (Injured), Wade Graham (Injured), Franklin Pele (Injured), Josh Dugan (Isolation), Teig Wilton (Injured), Mawene Hiroti (Injured), Shaun Johnson (Injured), Matt Moylan (Injured)

• Cronulla Sharks suffered a second successive defeat as their top eight hopes suffered a huge blow with a disappointing loss to New Zealand Warriors last week and they cannot afford another defeat here as they take on Newcastle Knights.
• A third successive loss here would leave the Sharks with an uphill task to regain their place in the finals and it will take a big effort to overcome their poor showing last week in which they were unable to benefit from facing just 12 men for 20 minutes of that game.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Starting 13: Ponga, Tuala, Mann, Best, Hunt, Clifford, Pearce, J. Saifiti, Randall, D. Saifiti, Frizell, Barnett, Watson – Interchanges: Sue, Klemmer, Sasagi, Jones – Reserves: King, Momoisea, Crossland, To’a

Unavailable: Edrick Lee (Injured), Pasami Saulo (Injured), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Injured)

• Newcastle Knights were eventually able to grind down a dogged Brisbane Broncos outfit last week to make it back-to-back victories to stay right in the hunt for one of the final two spots in the play-offs.
• The Knights enjoyed almost all of the ball in the opening ten minutes of last week’s contest but came away pointless and it took until the second half until they finally capitalised on the Broncos’ fatigue to claim a much-needed win.

THE PREDICTION

Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights meet in a potentially pivotal contest in terms of their respective top eight hopes. The Sharks suffered a second loss in a row last week while the Knights were able to flip that form as they claimed a second successive victory. The form of the teams coming into this points to a Newcastle win and with Cronulla producing such an underwhelming effort in defeat to New Zealand Warriors last week, the Knights are tipped to secure a third consecutive win.