Beale braced for Shark attack
Cronulla head to Auckland this week hoping to get their season back on track, but the Warriors don’t need to look far for a reminder of just how dangerous the Sharks can be.
Versatile outside back Gerard Beale comes up against his old club tomorrow for the first time since swapping the Sutherland Shire for Mt Smart at the end of last season.
It was only a few weeks ago that the seventh-placed Sharks were pushing for a spot in the top four. They have since lost two of their last three matches to the Rabbitohs and Broncos.
But Beale, who spent three years at Cronulla and was part of the team that won the club’s maiden premiership in 2016, knows that these are the situations Paul Gallen and co thrive on.
Renowned for their toughness, both physical and mental, the vastly experienced Sharks have built a reputation over the years on grinding out wins when not at their best.
Veteran back-rowers Luke Lewis and Wade Graham are both missing for the visitors but they still possess strike power right across the park, from Queensland star Valentine Holmes at fullback to Matt Moylan and former Warrior Chad Townsend in the halves and the likes of Gallen and Andrew Fifita in the pack.
They have also been boosted this week by the signing of former New South Wales and Australian prop Aaron Woods from the Bulldogs, who has slotted straight onto the bench.
‘‘They’re a quality team, obviously knowing them first hand,’’ Beale said.
‘‘We’re going to really have to nail down our training this week and go into that game with confidence because they do have quite an experienced side.’’
Beale’s experience and composure will be crucial for the Warriors given the uncertainty around the backline.
While both have been named to start, winger David Fusitu’a (ankle) and centre Solomone Kata (hamstring) are in doubt which may force Stephen Kearney to rush Peta Hiku and Ken Maumalo back from Kiwis duty in Denver.
Beale is used to uncertainty. After missing the first half of the season due to a broken leg, the 11-test Kiwi played his first four games for the Warriors in the No 18 jersey only to start each one.
But there has been no complaints from Beale, who has been named on the wing against his former club.
‘‘The boys started so well so I wanted to make sure I earned my position in the team,’’ he said.
Beale has looked sharp on his feet since getting back onto the field, showing no lingering affects from the serious injury that ended his World Cup campaign last year in the opening game against Samoa.
It was too soon for him to be considered for last week’s test against England but the 27-year-old is hoping to put himself in the frame for selection at the end of the year.