THE RIVALRY: WARRIORS V SHARKS
Prelim magic, buzzer-beaters and comebacks, and shared superstars – these clubs know how to deliver the drama against one another.
The Warriors-Sharks rivalry peaked with an unforgettable preliminary final showdown in 2002, but there’s been a plethora of regular-season highlights since. Cronulla has forged ahead in the overall ledger, but Shaun Johnson spearheaded a series of buzzer-beating wins and comebacks for the Warriors either side of his stint in the Shire. Incredibly, 19 of the club’s 51 encounters have been decided by five points or less, while the Warriors have enjoyed a recent pocket of dominance after largely struggling against the Sharks for a decade.
Overall record: Played 51 – Cronulla won 29, Warriors won 22; Cronulla scored 1,086 points, Warriors scored 958 points.
Biggest wins: Cronulla – 45-4 at Mt Smart Stadium, 2012; Warriors – 44-12 at Mt Smart Stadium, 2023.
Longest winning streaks: Cronulla – 5 matches (2012-14); Warriors – 3 games (twice – 2002-03 and 2010-11).
Finals: Played 1 – Warriors won 1.
Most appearances: Paul Gallen (Cronulla) – 24; Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 20; Shaun Johnson (Warriors and Cronulla) – 19; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 17; Ben Matulino (Warriors) – 16; Andrew Fifita (Cronulla) – 15; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 14; Briton Nikora (Cronulla) – 13; Jacob Lillyman (Warriors) – 13; David Peachey (Cronulla) – 13; Sam Rapira (Warriors) – 13; Logan Swann (Warriors) – 13.
Most tries: Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 11; David Peachey (Cronulla) – 10; Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla) – 9; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 9; Sione Katoa (Cronulla) – 7; Wairangi Koopu (Warriors) – 6; Nathan Stapleton (Cronulla) – 6; Colin Best (Cronulla) – 5; Jesse Ramien (Cronulla) – 5; Clinton Toopi (Warriors) – 5; Richard Villasanti (Warriors and Cronulla) – 5.
Most points: Shaun Johnson (Warriors and Cronulla) – 103; Luke Covell (Cronulla) – 60; Mat Rogers (Cronulla) – 50; James Maloney (Warriors and Cronulla) – 47; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 44; Nicho Hynes (Cronulla) – 41; Todd Carney (Cronulla) – 40; Ivan Cleary (Warriors) – 40; David Peachey (Cronulla) – 40.
1995-2001 – Sharks enjoy early running
The fledgling Auckland Warriors’ first clash with the Cronulla Sharks was a thriller, with the premiership newcomers prevailing 23-18 at Shark Park after scoring five tries to three against the finals-bound hosts. But the match was arguably more significant for being 19-year-old Stacey Jones’ initial first grade run-on appearance, starring at five-eighth and booting a field goal.
Bragging rights over the first seven seasons of the rivalry belonged to the Sharks, however, winning six of the first nine encounters between the clubs – including a 28-24 victory in their first visit to Mt Smart Stadium in 1996.
At the end of ’96, Cronulla and Auckland faced off in the reserve grade grand final. An experienced Sharks side saw off the gallant, Aaron Whittaker-led Warriors 14-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium.
One of the most memorable matches occurred in 1999, when a late Mitch Healey conversion from the sideline in driving Auckland rain snatched a 22-20 victory for the Sharks, the NRL’s eventual minor premiers.
