IN NICHO OF TIME FOR SHARKIES
Hynes seals golden-point win over Bunnies as hosts look good in NRL top four
NICHO Hynes is the sultan of the Shire after the Sharks’ half slotted a field goal in the second period of golden point to win one of the most dramatic NRL matches of the year to all but clinch his team a place in the top four.
The pre-season recruit has nailed some big moments this year but none will top his 88th-minute field goal as South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell missed three golden opportunities to win his side the game on Saturday night.
Mitchell missed two shots in the first period – including one from 20m – while Matt Moylan also failed to convert a couple of shots in the opening five minutes.
The South Sydney superstar then had the chance to win it after Tom Burgess made a huge break but again sprayed his attempt wide.
Burgess then went from hero to zero when he smashed Ronaldo Mulitalo high and was sent off, gifting Cronulla the field position it needed for Hynes to knock over the winner.
FIFITA WINDS BACK CLOCK
The Bunker cannot stay out of the headlines after the Rabbitohs were awarded a controversial try with two minutes to go that forced their game against the Sharks into golden point
The Sharks looked destined for a famous win at home until Tevita Tatola burrowed over like a good Bunny does to tie things up at the death after the Bunker confirmed the on-field decision.
But it did not matter as Andrew Fifita scored his most important try since the 2016 grand final.
The veteran prop is nearing the end of a glittering career that included the most famous four-pointer in club history when he barged over late to lift the Sharks to their first premiership against the Storm.
The home crowd was chanting his name after he crashed over with 13 minutes to play to break a 14-all deadlock only moments after Cameron McInnes had a try of his own ruled out by the Bunker.
The result is massive for the Sharks, who move up to 28 competition points and look destined to finish in the top four with their final five games against teams all outside the top eight. The Bunnies are now long odds to earn a double chance with a horror draw to come.
MITCHELL MOVED
South Sydney’s winning streak with Mitchell back in the side is over and it coincided with him shifting from fullback to left centre after Jed Cartwright hobbled off, forcing a backline reshuffle.
Mitchell was quiet in the first half, limited to only 20 running metres before he was moved out wide with Jayden Nikorima slotting in at fullback. The booming fullback failed to make an impact but did pounce on a Connor Tracey fumble to score a try early in the second half.
WADE’S RELIEF
The rugby league world held its collective breath when Sharks skipper Wade Graham was forced off for an HIA midway through the first half.
The veteran back-rower has been dealing with repeated head knocks over the past few years, but there was a massive sigh of relief when he returned after the break.