By PETER JESSUP
The Warriors hope to take their winning side unchanged to Sydney this weekend to bite the Sharks and get on the roll they need to cement a top-eight playoff spot.
The hungry Sharks have welcomed back four players from injury and all go into the team to face the rejuvenated Warriors at Cronulla on Saturday night.
The major issue for the home team is the coaching position. Melbourne's suddenly departed coach Chris Anderson is the frontrunner to replace John Lang, who has announced that this season, his ninth, will be his last.
Others, including Stuart Raper, in England, and former Kiwi and Manly coach Graham Lowe, are in consideration, but the main target is Anderson. However, he faces a bigger-money offer from Leeds. The club board is to decide by tomorrow.
The Sharks have lost NSW backrower Chris McKenna (abductor muscle, thigh) but have brought back counterpart Nathan Long (wrist), half Jason Ferris (shoulder), rake Dean Treister (head and shoulder) and utility Shannon Donato (ribs), all without the benefit of a run in the reserve grade.
The Warriors have a short turn-around which may worry Awen Guttenbeil and Ivan Cleary, who are still carrying injuries.
Cleary has added kicking practice to his routine this week after goaling only two from 10 against Penrith, the lapse timely given the tries.
New Zealand Warriors: Justin Murphy, Henry Fa'afili, Clinton Toopi, Ivan Cleary, Francis Meli, Nathan Wood, Stacey Jones (c), Jerry SeuSeu, Jason Death, Justin Morgan, Logan Swann, Awen Guttenbeil, Kevin Campion (c); interchange Monty Betham, Richard Villasanti, Ali Lauiti'iti, Richie Blackmore.
Sydney Sharks: David Peachey (c), Preston Campbell, Colin Best, Russell Richardson, Ronald Prince, Adam Dykes, Jason Ferris, Jason Stevens, Dean Treister, Martin Lang, Nathan Long, Sean Ryan, Paul Mellor; interchange Chris Beattie, Andrew Pierce, Luke Stuart, Shannon Donato.
Rugby League: Now for a raid on the hungry Sharks
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