Cronulla lose 10-46 to Roosters in NRL playoffs — ABC News Australia
In Australia, the Cronulla Sharks ended their NRL playoff season after losing 10-46 to the Sydney Roosters. It was the Sharks’ fifth defeat in six playoff matches against top-four teams since the start of 2022. ABC News Australia reports.
For Cronulla, it was a fifth consecutive season in the NRL finals series. In four of those five seasons, the team reached at least the second week of the playoffs. The rout by the Roosters was the Sharks’ heaviest defeat against a top-four team over that period and the largest margin in any of the club’s matches over the past two and a half years.
Hynes lost early
Cronulla lost halfback Nicho Hynes within the opening three minutes of the match. He was replaced by rookie Niwhai Puru, while Braydon Trindall created both of his team’s tries in the first half.
In the second half, Trindall came close to another try after a combination with Billy Burns. Billy Smith dislodged the ball in a late tackle, preventing the Sharks from cutting the deficit to 16-24 with 25 minutes remaining.
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After that, the Roosters extended their lead. Mark Nawaqanitawase scored a double and assisted another attacking move with a behind-the-back pass, while Connor Watson finished one of the tries. Daly Cherry-Evans and Robert Toia also recorded scoring plays late in the match. The Roosters will face the Dolphins in the preliminary final.
Changes to the Sharks squad
During the regular season, Cronulla were one of the league’s highest-scoring teams, with only three clubs scoring more points. At the same time, the team had only five tries started in its own half of the field, the lowest figure in the NRL.
After the season, the Sharks squad will undergo changes. Sione Katoa, who last week took his number of tries for the club to 100, will join the Cowboys. Jesse Ramien will also move to that club. Siosifa Talakai will continue his career in Perth, while former captain Cam McInnes will join York, a Super League club.
