Cronulla Sharks winger Sione Katoa suffered a groin injury during Saturday’s 48-6 pre-season victory over the Canberra Raiders, casting doubt over his availability for the start of the National Rugby League season. The injury occurred in the second half of the match at Gosford’s Polytec Stadium, according to reports.
The Sharks are already facing a potential shortage of outside backs with Ronaldo Mulitalo expected to miss a significant portion of the season after rupturing his ACL while playing for Novel Zealand, as reported by the Canberra Times.
Cronulla dominated the under-strength Raiders, with Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall orchestrating much of the attack before being rested after 45 minutes with the Sharks leading 22-0. Sam Stonestreet is expected to fill Mulitalo’s spot on the left wing, while Mawene Hiroti is the frontrunner to replace Katoa if he is unable to recover in time for the season opener.
The injury to Katoa adds to a growing list of concerns for the Sharks, who were impressive in their pre-season form but will need their key players fit to challenge for a premiership. According to MSN, the Sharks’ halves pairing of Hynes and Trindall were particularly impressive, setting up multiple tries and controlling the game’s tempo.
Canberra similarly suffered an injury blow during the match, with Matty Nicholson leaving the field early with a shoulder injury and failing to return. The Raiders’ preparation for the new season has been hampered by a lack of game time for their first-choice halves, with coach Ricky Stuart opting to rest key players during the pre-season trials. Ethan Strange has secured one halfback position, but the competition for the other spot remains open between Ethan Sanders and Daine Laurie.
Jayden Brailey, recently signed from the Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights, made a positive impression for the Raiders during his stint on the field, making 20 tackles without a miss. The veteran hooker could prove to be a valuable addition to the Canberra squad, providing depth and experience.
The Sharks’ victory was also notable for a strong performance from centre Jesse Ramien, who scored a try after a clever offload from Briton Nikora. Michael Gabrael, a young outside back, also scored a second-half double, potentially putting himself in contention for a spot in the first-grade squad.
The Canberra Times reported that the Raiders made 15 errors during the match, highlighting their lack of cohesion and composure. The team’s early-season form will be closely scrutinized, particularly after a disappointing performance against the Sharks.
