NRL 2021: Toby Rudolf, Will Kennedy re-sign with Cronulla Sharks

New Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon may have lost the battle for Adam Reynolds but he just secured two of Cronulla’s most promising young stars.

Cronulla caretaker coach Josh Hannay.

The Cronulla Sharks have beaten off interest from rival clubs to secure lock Toby Rudolf and fullback Will Kennedy on new deals worth a combined $2.5 million.

Rudolf, 25, has agreed to a three-year contract and Kennedy, 24, a two-year extension.

Both were earmarked as crucial signings for new coach Craig Fitzgibbon in recruitment meetings in recent weeks, having been the Sharks’ most consistent players in a difficult year.

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Rudolf, a tearaway middle forward, had huge interest from rival clubs including a huge offer from the big-spending Canterbury Bulldogs.

The middle forward has sure come a long way from being a part-time QLD Cup player in Brisbane three years ago while driving trucks to make a living.

The opportunity to play under highly regarded coach Craig Fitzgibbon was obviously an important factor.

Cronulla's Will Kennedy and Toby Rudolf have re-signed with the Sharks.

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“I’m stoked to get it done,” Rudolf said, “To get some security at the club that gave me a start is really satisfying.

“When I spoke to Craig Fitzgibbon I really liked what he had to say. He spoke about building better men, better footy players and improving the culture. I was massively agreeing with everything he said.

“Also I was happy at the Sharks. Why move if you’re happy where you are.”

Rudolf rang Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett on Wednesday to inform him he was staying at the Sharks.

“The Dogs are building impressively and I gave them some serious thought,” Rudolf said.

His goals now are to play State of Origin and win Cronulla’s second premiership.

“I grew up loving the Blues and Freddy Fittler and Anthony Minichiello,” he said, “I’d love to wear that jersey one day.”

The Craig Fitzgibbon era at the Sharks has begun. Picture John Grainger

Rudolf says he models his game on champion old South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Sam Burgess.

“I trained with Sam when I was at Souths and he’s the greatest forward I’ve seen,” he said.

Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta the signings of both Kennedy and Rudolf are a huge boost.

“They were priority signings for us,” Mezzatesta said, “Fitzy was keen that we locked them both down for obvious reasons.

“There was interest from rival clubs because they’ve been demonstrating their ability week in, week out. It’s a competitive landscape.

“It means a lot that they’ve stayed at a club they both believe in.

“These two are what our future is about, really dominant players and it gives our roster some stability moving forward.”

Hannay’s Sharks shake-up

- David Riccio

Show us what you’ve got.

Josh Hannay has handed off-contract stars Matt Moylan and Shaun Johnson the keys to the Cronulla castle.

In his most significant call so far as caretaker Cronulla coach, Hannay’s new-look halves pairing comes at the expense of premiership-winner Chad Townsend.

With one eye on form and the other on the future, Hannay has named Johnson at halfback to partner five-eighth Moylan ahead of Cronulla’s clash with the Gold Coast at Coffs Harbour on Sunday.

On the comeback trail from two weeks out with a hamstring injury, Johnson will play his 200th NRL game on Sunday.

In a new-looking Sharks team, winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, centre Jesse Ramien, forwards Siosifa Talakai and Andrew Fifita will all be named to return from the sidelines to tackle the top-eight Titans.

Cronulla caretaker coach Josh Hannay has made a big call on the Sharks halves.

Both Johnson and Moylan are off-contract at the Sharks with incoming coach Craig Fitzgibbon declaring publicly he’s interested in working with the two run-threats as his halves combination in 2022.

The pair have played together in the halves on only three occasions since 2019, winning two of three matches.

Notably, their most recent partnership conjured a 30-18 win over the Titans in 2020.

The omission of Townsend is a significant call by Hannay.

A straight-shooter, Hannay has quickly proven he isn’t afraid to make a tough decision considering it was the Sharks halfback who landed the winning field-goal in golden-point extra time against the Dragons last Friday night.

Townsend has also produced 13 try assists — the most of any player in attack at the Sharks this season.

However, Hannay said he wanted more from his playmakers than what has been produced in recent weeks.

“Halves is one part of our squad we’ve got good depth and that includes Braydon Trindall, who is pushing for his shot every week, Shaun (Johnson), Matt Moylan and even Connor Tracey could slot in,’’ Hannay said.

Shaun Johnson returns after two weeks out with a hamstring injury. Picture: Robb Cox/NRL Photos

“It’s not a position that we have to keep pushing ahead with, if someone isn’t hitting the marks that we’ve set.

“Chad’s been okay, he hit the winning field-goal last week.

“But with Shaun available, I think it’s an opportunity to make sure we hit the marks that I want our halves to reach and also get Shaun and Matt together.

“Because despite their level of class, it’s a combination that hasn’t really had a run of opportunity with just three games together.

“It’s probably a combination that needs to be delved into deeper for us.’’

The omission of Chad Townsend is a significant call by Josh Hannay. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Townsend’s omission has also eventuated after he announced a three-year deal to join the Cowboys last month.

However, Hannay said the decision had nothing to do with trying to force Townsend out of the club immediately.

“No - it’s about wanting everyone to be at their best and also hopefully answer some unknowns for us around Moylan and Johnson - which is also quite exciting,’’ Hannay said.