NRL 2022: Lachie Miller to start for Sharks after backline reshuffle, Siosifa Talakai, Royce Hunt out
The Sharks have suffered a double injury blow before their semi-final against South Sydney, but it has opened the door an Olympian to make his finals debut. UPDATED LATE MAIL
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The stunning cross-code switch from rugby sevens star to NRL speedster will take it’s most significant step with Lachie Miller catapulted into Cronulla’s starting line-up.
Miller has been thrust into the Sharks backline following the withdrawal of bullocking centre Siosifa Talakai ahead of a must-win semi final against South Sydney at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
In another injury blow for Cronulla, forward Royce Hunt is also out of the blockbuster due to a calf issue. Braden Hamlin-Uele will start at prop with veteran Aiden Tolman onto the interchange bench.
Talakai has been battling a shoulder issue which has failed to respond to physiotherapy treatment this week. The whole-hearted Connor Tracey, originally named on the wing, will shift to the centres and Miller will start on the wing.
Miller’s transition from the Australian sevens squad at the Tokyo Olympics in July last year to a sold-out NRL semi final is a remarkable story.
The 28-year-old is yet to taste defeat in six NRL appearances for the Sharks, with his most recent first grade start in round 25 against Newcastle.
Lightning on his feet, Miller boasts a lethal 48 tackle busts, six line breaks, three tries and an average of 148-meters per-game.
In the NSW Cup, he leads the league with 115 tackle breaks.
A Coffs Harbour Comets junior, Miller played rugby league from the age of nine until he was 22, which included playing local A grade footy for the Sawtell Panthers.
It wasn’t until rugby’s legendary Ella brothers Mark, Gary and Glen, held their sevens tournament in Coffs Harbour five years ago that Miller’s rugby union experiment took off.
Miller was chosen in the Australian Olympic rugby team at last year’s Olympics. Australia were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual gold medallists, Fiji.
Following his stunning NRL debut against the Titans in May, which included an 80-metre solo-try, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon suggested why the occasion of Saturday night’s pressure-cooker won’t faze Miller.
“The guy’s played in the Olympic Sevens,’’ Fitzgibbon said.
“The big stage is not an issue for him and the reason myself and Moons [GM of football Darren Mooney] wanted to sign him was for that reason.’’
Sharks winger cops season-ending injury
— David Riccio
The Sharks have suffered a huge blow to their finals backline depth with Matt Ikuvalu ruled out for the season.
At a time of the year where squad depth is everything, the Sharks will be without one of their most dependable back-up players for the rest of their finals campaign.
Ikuvalu is set for a lengthy recovery after suffering a patella tendon rupture while playing for Newtown against Penrith in the NSW Cup preliminary final last weekend.
Ikuvalu, who can play wing or centre, has undergone surgery this week, with the injury considered as significant as a torn ACL.
Ikuvalu’s season-ending injury means that Lachie Miller, Kayal Iro and Mawene Hiroti are the remaining backline options for Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon to call on.
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