Cronulla Sharks ... Anthony Tupou tackled by Josh McCrone. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited
Cronulla surged back into the NRL top eight on Sunday with a tense 30-20 victory over a fast-finishing Canberra.
NSW Origin hopeful Todd Carney was again the maestro for the home side, who provisionally moved into the eight for the first time since round five.
5 Tries 4 | |
|---|---|
| Jonathan Wright 8' | Anthony Milford 23' |
| Ben Ross 16' | Blake Ferguson 45' |
| Isaac De Gois 33' | Jack Wighton 62' |
| Jayson Bukuya 49' | Anthony Milford 65' |
| Andrew Fifita 70' | |
5 Conversions 2 | |
| Michael Gordon 9' | Blake Ferguson 24' |
| Michael Gordon 17' | Blake Ferguson 63' |
| Michael Gordon 35' | |
| Todd Carney 51' | |
| Todd Carney 71' | |
The victory was not secure until a 70th minute try to barnstorming prop Andrew Fifita, as the Sharks weathered a dangerous Canberra comeback sparked by a double to energetic half Anthony Milford.
The match was not without controversy, with the home side opening the scoring despite an apparent obstruction.
Centre Jonathan Wright charged through an enormous hole, seemingly created when teammate Wade Graham crashed into Canberra halfback Josh McCrone.
But video referees Steve Chiddy and Luke Patten awarded the try, which was converted by Michael Gordon for a 6-0 lead after nine minutes.
Eight minutes later prop Ben Ross also found himself over the tryline after accepting a short ball from Todd Carney.
It was also sent upstairs, and came down with a decision which sent the partisan home crowd of 12,130 into raptures.
The Raiders were beaten physically in the forwards by a Cronulla pack missing Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis.
And the visitors suffered further setbacks through first half injuries to Josh McCrone (side strain) and Shaun Fensom (eye), neither of whom returned.
McCrone's replacement, Milford, cut the Sharks' lead to six when he raced 50 metres to score, but a long-range try to hooker Isaac de Gois gave the Sharks an 18-6 buffer at the break.
The talented youngster grubbered for centre Blake Ferguson to open the scoring in the second half, and had a double when he backed up a break which he had created.
But a 60 metre intercept try to Jayson Bukuya, who outpaced Terry Campese to score under the posts, and Fifita's match-sealer ensured the Sharks extended their winning streak to three games.
In another timely Origin audition, the in-form Fifita ran for 201 metres in a powerful display.
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