Cronulla Sharks to put bite on early in premiership defence

CRONULLA forward Jayson Bukuya says the premiers will be insistent of maintaining a high standard when they play the Broncos in a pre-season trial.

Jayson Bukuya prepares to tackle the broncos at Redcliff. Picture: Gregg Porteous

CRONULLA forward Jayson Bukuya says the premiers will be insistent of maintaining a high standard when they play the Broncos in the opening pre-season trial for both sides at Redcliffe on Saturday night.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has signalled how seriously he is taking the trial by heading to Dolphin Oval and sending his assistant coach, Steve Price, to lead Cronulla’s Auckland Nines campaign this weekend.

Paul Gallen, James Maloney, Valentine Holmes, Andrew Fifita, Sam Tagataese and Bukuya are the Sharks grand final winners playing in Redcliffe, with new hooker Daniel Mortimer getting his first chance since switching from Gold Coast.

Jayson Bukuya prepares to tackle the broncos at Redcliff. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“We know that being the premiers teams will want to knock us off early,’’ Bukuya, who returned this week from his second Queensland Emerging Origin camp.

“We want to start the season well and do the basics right in attack and defence.

“Hopefully I get a bit over one half of football. We have a big crew of forwards going up. We have a lot of boys from the under-20s and our NSW Cup team as well.’’

The first trial carries some additional weight as the two clubs open the premiership season at Cronulla on March 2.

Flanagan needs to identify his best dummy-half options after the retirement of premiership winner Michael Ennis.

“We have a few young hookers in the mix too who have been training really well,’’ Bukuya said.

“I’m excited for them to see how they go in the trials. I think we’re going to be OK in that department.’’

Test winger Holmes will play at fullback, expected to be his position when the premiership starts.