Every NRL Clubs 2027 Round 1 Lineup: Cronulla Sharks

The Cronulla Sharks will be looking to make a strong start to the 2027 NRL season, and there are plenty of interesting selection decisions to consider when predicting their Round 1 lineup.

For my predicted team, I’ve gone with a familiar spine featuring Will Kennedy at fullback, Braydon Trindall at five-eighth and Nicho Hynes at halfback. There are also some intriguing selections in the outside backs and forward pack, with Michael Gabrael named in the centres and Owen Trout starting in the front row.

This is my predicted Sharks lineup for Round 1, based off the their 2027 current squad.

There are several interesting decisions in this predicted Sharks lineup.

The first is the halves combination of Hynes and Trindall. Keeping the pair together would give Cronulla continuity in two crucial positions, with both players having important roles in directing the team’s attack.

The selection of Gabrael at centre is another talking point. He gets the nod in my predicted side, partnering Iro in the outside backs, while Stonestreet and Mulitalo occupy the wing positions.

In the forwards, Fonua-Blake is the key starting prop, with new recruit Owen Trout named alongside him. Colquhoun gets the lock position following Cam McInness's departure from the club, while Nikora and Wilton make up the second row. The interchange features Puru, Hazelton, Burns and Kaufusi.

With only one new recruit so far, the Sharks side should be very similar to 2026, with a few bench changes in 2027.

Cronulla’s predicted Round 1 lineup features a strong core through the spine, an interesting mix of outside backs and a forward pack built around Fonua-Blake.

The combination of Hynes and Trindall will be a major factor in how the Sharks attack, while the starting forward pack will need to lay a solid platform for them to work from.

With Gabrael and Trout among the notable selections in this team, there are some intriguing calls in my predicted side.

The Sharks main issue still is their consistency, and with a lack of new additions to the side they are unlikely to improve. I believe this side will slide down the table to the lower finals places with the possibility they could even miss out if they lose key players or fail to add new depth and talent to their roster.