Sharks make big changes for Souths clash - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Sharks make big changes for Souths clash

By Ian McCullough 23/03/2010 08:08:17 PM Comments (0)

Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart has rung the changes in a bid to boost a toothless Sharks outfit looking to prevent a 13th successive NRL defeat against South Sydney on Monday.

In what has turned into a must-win match for both sides, Stuart has wielded the axe on halfback Scott Porter, misfiring centre Ben Pomeroy and winger Isaac Gordon.

Promising young playmaker Albert Kelly will make his first NRL start at fullback with Blake Ferguson restored to the wing.

John Morris will move to halfback with Paul Aiton named as hooker with new signing Dean Collis to make his long-awaited debut in the centres.

A much-vaunted Souths side have also lost their first two games of the season and are under huge pressure to beat the Sharks following the big money signings of David Taylor and Sam Burgess.

Coach John Lang, who was criticised for leaving Burgess, Taylor and Roy Asotasi off the field at the same time in last week's golden point defeat by Gold Coast, has opted to keep the same team that was edged out by the Titans for the encounter at Toyota Stadium.

Wests Tigers' Lote Tuqiri will remain on the wing for his side's clash with Parramatta on Friday after coach Tim Sheens opted to promote Mitch Brown to fullback with Tim Moltzen moving to halfback.

Sheens was forced into the switch after Robert Lui was ruled out for up to six weeks with an ankle injury, and despite speculation Tuqiri would don the No.1 shirt, 22-year-old Brown has been given the nod.

And with two tries in his opening two games for his new team following his return from rugby union, Tuqiri is happy to remain out wide.

"I'll to play wherever the coach wants me to, but I have been enjoying it on the wing, I came to this team to play in those open spaces so I can't complain, it has gone well so far," said Tuqiri on Tuesday.

Tuqiri will come up against former NSW Waratahs and Wallabies teammate Timana Tahu on Friday and the dual international is looking forward to facing his close friend.

"He has been a great player for over 10 years now, I have spent a lot of time with him in the past, and he looks in great shape and it will be good to see him again," he said.

Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson has rewarded Fuifui Moimoi for his excellent display off the bench against Manly last week, with a starting spot against Wests Tigers on Friday in his 100th NRL game.

Moimoi replaces NSW prop Justin Poore who is dropped to the bench, with Krisnan Inu coming in for the injured Luke Burt, who is sidelined with a knee injury.

Newcastle second-rower Cameron Ciraldo will make his long-awaited return to action after a year out following the horrific injury he sustained in the 2009 round two clash against Cronulla.

Ciraldo, who fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle after his foot became wedged in a tackle, is named on the bench for the Knights' clash with Manly at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday.

Melbourne have named premiership-winning halfback Cooper Cronk as 18th man following off-season groin surgery for the Storm's trip to Penrith on Saturday at CUA Stadium.

Panthers utility Luke Lewis will start at five-eighth for the home side after Travis Burns was ruled out with a knee injury.

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