Cronulla Sharks to Face North Queensland Cowboys in NRL Semifinal Clash

The Cronulla Sharks are set to clash with the North Queensland Cowboys in a sudden-death NRL semifinal at Sydney‘s Allianz Stadium. The Sharks aim to capitalize on their home advantage, with a strong contingent of supporters expected to fill the stands and create a formidable atmosphere as they pursue a place in the preliminary final against the Penrith Panthers.

After securing fourth place in the regular season, the Sharks have the opportunity to rebound from a recent qualifying final defeat to the Melbourne Storm. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon expressed the team’s readiness and determination to seize this chance, stating, “We’re so grateful to be here. It’s been an enjoyable and challenging year, and we’ve earned the right for this next crack, thankfully.”

Meanwhile, the Cowboys arrive in Sydney buoyed by their comeback victory over the Newcastle Knights, which secured their spot in the semifinals. Despite this being their first playoff match since 2018, the Cowboys, under the guidance of coach Todd Payten, have shown resilience and confidence—a trait epitomized by co-captains Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden.

Fitzgibbon has retained the same squad that faced Melbourne, though he has indicated that centre Jesse Ramien, returning from an ankle injury, could be a late addition. North Queensland boasts an unchanged line-up, with key players such as Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi fit and ready.

Nicho Hynes, the Sharks’ halfback, shared his anticipation for the high-stakes contest, saying, “I’ve been wanting a moment like this forever. I want to win finals games, and this whole club is hungry for it.”

The upcoming fixture marks the sixth playoff encounter between the Sharks and Cowboys, with North Queensland holding a slight edge in previous meetings. However, the Sharks have dominated recent regular-season matchups against the Cowboys, securing a significant victory in Round 7 earlier this year.

For fans unable to attend, the game will be broadcast live on various platforms, including Nine, Nine Now, Foxtel, and Kayo. Additionally, the Sharks Footy Fest at a designated live site offers fans an alternative to enjoy the match in a vibrant community setting.