TWL Rd 5 Preview: Warriors search for Easter bounce-back and four straight in the Shire
The Warriors are looking for their maiden Easter Sunday win in Australia, while the Sharks have a home hoodoo to overcome.
WARRIORS V CRONULLA SHARKS – 4.00PM (NZT)/2.00PM (AEDT) SUNDAY, APRIL 3 @ OCEAN PROTECT STADIUM, SYDNEY
The Storylines: Riding high on top of the NRL ladder after three rounds, the Warriors came hurtling back to terra firma last Friday via a 32-14 loss to a plucky, patched-up Wests Tigers. The Warriors raced to a 10-0 lead before capitulating to their first loss of the season, with the defensive resolve and attacking cohesion that marked their 3-0 start going out the window.
Andrew Webster’s late changes (dropping Ali Leiataua to restore Taine Tuaupiki to fullback and shift Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to centre), on top of Luke Metcalf’s surprise early return, were externally blamed for upsetting the Warriors’ momentum.
But only one team in the NRL – unbeaten Penrith – has not produced at least one substandard performance or endured a form blip across the opening month of the competition. A forceful response will appease the Warriors’ fanbase ahead of a feverishly anticipated trip to Melbourne in Round 6.
Webster has stuck solid with the line-up that failed to get the job done – minus luckless co-captain Mitch Barnett, who has suffered a broken thumb – though we’ll be waiting with baited breath for another trademark 11th hour reshuffle.
Perennial finalist Cronulla remains as inscrutable as ever in a 2-2 start to the season. The Sharks thrashed Gold Coast 50-10 first up, then were humbled 26-6 by the Panthers in Bathurst and embarrassed 38-10 by a Dolphins side that has suffered a couple of heavy defeats since.
Craig Fitzgibbon’s side is coming off its best performance of 2026 to date, however, starting fast and finishing strong in a highly entertaining 32-22 victory in Canberra with Braydon Trindall calling the tune.
The Sharks have a reputation as a tough team to beat at home, but the Warriors have carved out an impressive recent record in this rivalry and at this ground.
