PointsBet Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 5 NRL game between Cronulla Sharks and New Zealand Warriors. The game kicks off at 4:00 pm with Cronulla Sharks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Cronulla Sharks vs. New Zealand Warriors game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday April 2, 2023 at 4:00 pm

Where: PointsBet Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors Odds

Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors Preview

Cronulla Sharks’ season can finally get cracking with Nicho Hynes back on deck and instantly reproducing his Dally M-winning form of 2022, but the surprise-packet Warriors will fiercely defend their top-four billing with newfound resilience that is quickly becoming the team’s trademark.

The Sharks improved to 2-2 with a 40-8 rout of the Dragons at Kogarah after a close-fought first half. Hynes was on another level, toying with the Saints in his first outing of the season. Craig Fitzgibbon’s side looked the mirror image of the outfit that surged to second on the ladder last year.

Meanwhile, the Warriors overcame yet another sluggish start and an eight-point second-half deficit that was helped along by a highly dubious Bunker call, again charging down the straight to pip the Bulldogs 16-14 for their third win of the season.

Shaun Johnson proved the difference in a vintage showing, while the efforts of Jazz Tevaga, Jackson Ford and Dylan Walker were also crucial in an injury-hit line-up. They are yet to concede a try in the last 20 minutes of a match.

Wayde Egan is a huge in for the Warriors, but Te Maire Martin has been ruled out and replaced at five-eighth by Ronald Volkman. Tohu Harris (knee) is a 50-50 chance at best, with Josh Curran the likely replacement. The Sharks only change sees Braydon Trindall return on the bench for Oregon Kaufusi.

Cronulla has had the wood on the Warriors for a decade, winning 15 of the clubs’ last 19 clashes. Last season a 12-man Sharks side (who also had a player sin-binned) thumped the Warriors 29-10 at home and cruised to a 38-16 win in Redcliffe a month later after Nathan Brown’s exit.

The Hynes factor inspires plenty of confidence in a Sharks home win this Sunday, but they look very short at $1.28 against a gritty, in-form opponent. The Warriors are conceding just 14.5 points per game, lead the comp in line-breaks and set completion, and are 4-0 against the line in 2023.

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Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors Tip

Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors Teams

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Williams 17. Braydon Trindall 18. Connor Tracey 19. Thomas Hazelton 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Tom Ale 18. Josh Curran 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Rocco Berry 23. Demitric Sifakula