2021 NRL – Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks taking place? Friday 16th April, 2021 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks taking place? McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Where can I get tickets for Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks 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 Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks? 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
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Starting 13: Ponga, Musgrove, Tuala, Best, Hunt, Mann, Green, Klemmer, Brailey, D. Saifiti, Frizell, Barnett, Watson – Interchanges: Sue, J. Saifiti, King, Jones – Reserves: Sasagi, Saulo, Crossland, Shibasaki
Unavailable: Edrick Lee (Injured), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Injured), Jirah Momoisea (Injured), Bailey Hodgson (Injured), Mitchell Pearce (Injured), Tex Hoy (Injured), Dom Young (Injured), Chris Randall (Injured)
- Newcastle Knights suffered a third straight loss as they were blown away by Gold Coast Titans last week but head coach Adam O’Brien will hope his side can produce much better with the return of a few key players in this clash.
- After shipping 42 points last week, the Knights will need to be much better but with Kurt Mann, Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti returning to the 17, Newcastle will believe they can make it three straight victories over Cronulla.
CRONULLA SHARKS
Starting 13: Kennedy, Hiroti, Tracey, Ramien, Mulitalo, Moylan, Townsend, Hamlin-Uele, Brailey, Woods, Nikora, Wilton, Rudolf – Interchanges: Magoulias, Tolman, Jack Williams, Talakai – Reserves: Trindall, Macdonald, Pele, Taumoepeau
Unavailable: Bronson Xerri (Suspended), Shaun Johnson (Injured), Jack A Williams (Injured), Royce Hunt (Injured), Sione Katoa (Injured), Josh Dugan (Injured), Wade Graham (Injured), Andrew Fifita (Suspended)
- Cronulla Sharks had looked set to earn a brilliant win over Sydney Roosters last week but they failed to hold on to a lead late in that game and that was the start of a dramatic week for the Sharks.
- That defeat proved to be head coach John Morris’ last game in charge with the club announcing that Craig Fitzgibbon would take over next season but it has been a messy break-up for Morris and it will be interesting to see how Cronulla perform under interim head coach Josh Hannay.
THE PREDICTION
John Morris will feel hard done to after his acrimonious exit from Cronulla Sharks this week and the popular coach’s departure could have a big impact on how his former side perform here. They take on Newcastle Knights in this clash with the out-of-form hosts desperate to avoid a fourth consecutive loss. They were well-beaten by Gold Coast Titans last week but they are bolstered by the return of some key men for this clash. However, the Sharks have performed the better of the two so far this campaign despite possessing the same record as the hosts and if the away side can maintain a similar level of performance to their opening 60 minutes last week, Cronulla should be able to prevail here.
