CRONULLA SHARKS 36 NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 22
STEPHEN IBBETSON, Ocean Protect Stadium, Sunday

A HAT-TRICK from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak wasn’t enough to prevent the Warriors from slipping to a second loss in succession.

The New Zealand side started the season with three impressive wins on the bounce but it was the Sharks – now level with them and five others in tied-third – who showed their play-off credentials here.

Watene-Zelezniak dived impressively for the opening four points while Tanah Boyd kicked a penalty soon after for 6-0.

But Will Kennedy scored twice in four minutes, running onto the ball twice to great effect, before KL Iro rolled over the line following a Samuel Stonestreet break to put Cronulla 18-6 in front with three Nicho Hynes conversions.

The Warriors replied against the run of play when Watene-Zelezniak intercepted a Braydon Trindall pass to race from deep inside his own half, but Billy Burns raced in from close range to restore order and give the Sharks a 24-10 half-time lead.

Another spectacular Watene-Zelezniak effort at the start of the second half, converted by Boyd, proved in vain when Teig Wilton touched down a Blayke Brailey grubber at the line to re-establish Cronulla’s three-score advantage.

Siosifa Talakai’s powerful try and Hynes’ sixth goal from six attempts made certain of the result with 16 minutes still to play.

Erin Clark’s try gave New Zealand some late cheer, although the loss of stand-off Luke Metcalfe to a hamstring injury compounded their concerns.

SHARKS: 1 Will Kennedy, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 KL Iro, 5 Samuel Stonestreet, 6 Braydon Trindall, 7 Nicho Hynes, 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Toby Rudolf, 11 Billy Burns, 12 Teig Wilton, 13 Jesse Colquhoun. Subs: 14 Siosifa Talakai, 15 Thomas Hazelton, 16 Oregon Kaufusi, 18 Mawene Hiroti (not used), 19 Hohepa Puru (not used), 22 Briton Nikora

Tries: Kennedy (14, 18), Iro (25), Burns (34), Wilton (51), Talakai (64); Goals: Hynes 6/6

WARRIORS: 1 Taine Tuaupiki, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 4 Adam Pompey, 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6 Luke Metcalf, 7 Tanah Boyd, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Jackson Ford, 11 Leka Halasima, 12 Jacob Laban, 13 Erin Clark. Subs: 14 Sam Healey, 15 Marata Niukore, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 18 Chanel Harris-Tavita (not used), 20 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (not used)

Tries: Watene-Zelezniak (6, 28, 43), Clark (77); Goals: Boyd 3/5

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 0-6, 6-6, 12-6, 18-6, 18-10, 24-10; 24-16, 30-16, 36-16, 36-22

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Sharks: Nicho Hynes; Warriors: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Penalty count: 1-10; Half-time: 24-10; Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski