Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Sharks find NRL title blueprint: Townsend

Cronulla have rediscovered their NRL mojo and are ready to strike over the last two months of the competition, according to halfback Chad Townsend.

Cronulla Sharks halfback Chad Townsend
Cronulla have rediscovered their NRL mojo and are ready to strike, according to Chad Townsend. (AAP)

Cronulla's NRL premiership defence is back on track heading into the final two months of the competition, according to halfback Chad Townsend.

Fresh off their second bye, the Sharks are ready to launch their title assault.

And after dismantling the Sydney Roosters 44-12 a fortnight ago, Townsend believes his team have rediscovered their blueprint for success.

"We completed our first 22 sets of the game and for us that's unheard of," Townsend said.

"For us to hold the ball and really get to our kicks every time and put pressure on our opposition to come out of their own end puts us in good stead.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"That's probably our blueprint moving forward."

Townsend said the side's embarrassing 35-18 loss to Manly in the post-Origin round the week previous was responsible for the team's turnaround.

It marked the eighth time this season the Sharks have made 14 or more errors, while they also trailed at halftime for the seventh consecutive game.

"We probably got a little bit too comfortable with the way we were going about our business," Townsend said.

"Everyone addressed that we needed to change something, we couldn't just keep cruising the way we were doing."

Sitting second and two points behind leaders Melbourne, Cronulla's next month of opponents features four teams all out of the top eight.

However they face something of a bogey team in Gold Coast this week.

The Titans beat the Sharks this season, and ended their winning run in the corresponding game last year with an 18-18 draw.

Returning hooker James Segeyaro will face a fitness test before the clash, to see if he is ready to return from a broken arm.

They'll also take an extended squad north, after coach Shane Flanagan suggested last month he would likely rest his Origin stars in the post-representative round after their lacklustre performance against Manly.

"We've had a fair few struggles against the Titans over the past couple of years,' forward Chris Heighington said.

"They're a big enthusiastic team.

"We've got our benchmark now and hopefully we can build off that."


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world