Dominic BrockUpdated May 29, 2026 — 8:34pm,first published 7:25pmYour say: Sharks or Sea Eagles?By Latest Posts8.34pmTRY: Set restarts galore as Sharks extend leadBy We’ve had 10 six-agains now after 28 minutes, so the set restarts are well and truly back after they appeared to be on the backburner in Origin on Wednesday night. Funny that. This time they’ve got Cronulla on the roll, and Braydon Trindall rolls in a nice grubber kick that Clayton Faulalo has to bat over the dead-ball line. Manly goal-line dropout.The Sharks regain possession and start their fourth set in a row, and now it’s Manly’s turn to be tested in defence. The Sea Eagles do a great job and appear to have forced a turnover when Teig Wilton throws an offload into the hands of Manly’s Ethan Bullemor, but Bullemor puts it down and Cronulla get yet another fresh set.This time the Eagles defence breaks, Wilton stepping around the tiring Nathan Brown to score beside the posts.Sharks 14, Sea Eagles 4 after 31 minutesToby Rudolf in action against Manly.Getty Images8.26pmTRY: Faulalo scores for Manly after six-agains wear out CronullaBy A late tackle by Teig Wilton on Jamal Fogarty gives Manly a penalty that sends them into Cronulla’s 20-metre zone, and they get a set restart to boot, and another.There have been six set restarts in the first 20 minutes of this game … and another one now, so make that seven. That’s more than in the entirety of Origin I on Wednesday night.After having to make 13 consecutive tackles it’s no surprise when Cronulla’s defence finally breaks, Clayton Faulalo continuing an excellent stint as Manly’s fullback by sliding across for a try out wide on the right. Reuben Garrick’s conversion attempt drifts wide.Sharks 8, Sea Eagles 4 after 23 minutes8.21pmWatch: Sharks debutant scores first NRL tryBy 8.19pmSharks on top but errors start to creep inBy More bad news for Manly as second-rower Jackson Shereb – who’s starting tonight in place of Haumole Olakau’atu – going off for a head injury assessment. And then Reuben Garrick spills a wayward pass from Luke Brooks and it’s a Cronulla scrum.The Sharks have completed all their sets so far and are enjoying the grind of this contest – and of course I’ve spoken too soon, with Jesse Ramien attempting a rapid tip-on pass for Ronaldo Mulitalo only for the ball to trickle over the sideline. On their next trip into Manly’s half another right-side shift ends in another turnover, with Lehi Hopoate intercepting a Niwhai Puru pass.Sharks 8, Sea Eagles 0 after 16 minutes8.11pmTRY: Brailey sets up rookie half for try on debutBy Jesse Ramien has been put on report but not penalised for elbowing the face of a player in a tackle, but it was missed by the on-field referee at the time so it doesn’t help Manly now.And this doesn’t help either, with Blayke Brailey scooting out of dummy-half, breaking through a gap and sending halfback Niwhai Puru over for a try on debut. Excellent start from Cronulla here. Braydon Trindall converts from right in front.Sharks 8, Sea Eagles 0 after 10 minutesNiwhai Puru scores his first NRL try.Getty Images8.04pmTrindall goal opens scoring for SharksBy Manly’s Ben Trbojevic gives away the first penalty of the match for a high tackle on Billy Burns, and the Sharks enter Sea Eagles territory for the first time. Braydon Trindall puts Burns through a gap, and the second-rower tries a grubber kick for Will Kennedy. The Cronulla fullback shows great hands to scoop it up but is immediately tackled, and then the Sea Eagles are penalised for offside the next play as they scramble in defence.The Sharks opt to take the penalty goal and have the early lead, via Trindall.Sharks 2, Sea Eagles 0 after four minutes8.01pmAnd we’re offBy Big game this. Cronulla start slight favourites at home, even without Nicho Hynes, Briton Nikora and KL Iro, and can get back into the top eight – at least temporarily – with a victory. Manly meanwhile are riding high and are playing to stay inside the top four, and still possess plenty of strike power despite the absence of Tolu Koula and Haumole Olauka’atu.Jake Trbojevic leads Manly out onto the field now. Clayton Faulalo has been in terrific form at fullback, making up for the absence of Tom Trbojevic, while playmaker Braydon Trindall is the key man for Cronulla tonight alongside debutant half Niwhai Puru.The Sharks kick off, and Kobe Hetherington takes the first hit-up of the game for Manly.7.51pmWinless Dragons not pulling in the same directionBy Christian NicolussiChecking in now on the Sharks’ long-time rivals, the Dragons, who are stuck at the foot of the NRL ladder on zero wins after a dozen rounds. They will play premiers Brisbane on Sunday, and will need to get on the same page after awkward footage emerged from their most recent loss to the Warriors.The Warriors already had victory in the bag, but the Dragons had one last chance to post a late try and give the hardy souls who braved the wind and rain at Kogarah reason to cheer before heading for the exits.Gutherson popped up on the left side of the field and realised Warriors defender Dallin Watene-Zelezniak needed to come infield and commit to the tackle, which meant all Gutherson had to do was pop up a pass to his winger, who would have a free run to the line.But when Gutherson looked outside him, Christian Tuipulotu was nowhere to be seen. If you had watched the TV replays, you would have spotted Tuipulotu with his back turned, walking away from the play towards the other end of the field. It was deadset under-6s stuff.Read the full story from Christian Nicolussi7.46pmThe last time these teams playedBy The Sharks beat Manly twice last season, 24-18 at home then 30-14 away at 4 Pines Park. Watch the highlights from that second game below.7.39pmSharks unveil new No.7 as two Blues back up from OriginBy Niwhai Puru starts in the Sharks No.7 jersey in place of the injured Nicho Hynes, and coach Craig Fitzgibbon says he’s been ready for the NRL level for some time.Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon.Getty ImagesPuru’s brother Hohepa will come off the bench in jersey 18.“Tonight he earns the right based on his persistence and perseverance to be an NRL player,” Fitzgibbon tells Fox League.“He kicks the ball really well, he’s a tough little thing, and I tell you what he does really well, he works for his team. I think it’s going to be pretty cool to play alongside his brother tonight too.” Maroons forward Briton Nikora won’t back up for Cronulla but Addin Fonua-Blake and Blayke Brailey will play.“Ads and Blayke have pulled up better than expected to be honest after the emotional rise and the toll of Origin,” Fitzgibbon says. “Unfortunately we didn’t get Brit ready for tonight, but we get Ads and Blayke back and they’re two important inclusions for us.”1 of 2