NRL 2022: Cronulla Sharks win 18-0 over Newcastle Knights | Match Report

Kalyn Ponga was meant to spark the Knights after a last-start defeat - instead he showered them with errors in a horror return from injury.

Siosifa Talakai was the true star of the show, looking dangerous with every touch of the ball. Picture: Getty Images.

Aiden Tolman has never been the headline and that probably suits him just fine.

But as the Shire was hammered by the mother of all Sharknados, the milestone man produced a moment that might just earn him the back page after a rampaging Siosifa Talakai helped Cronulla beat Newcastle 18-0.

Playing in his 300th NRL game, the veteran workhorse took one of his trademark thankless carries close to the line. But something funny happened. This time, for just the 16th time in his career, he scored.

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Aiden Tolman had the crowd going wild after scoring a try in his 300th NRL game. Picture: Getty Images.

If the wind didn’t blow it off then the four-pointer certainly raised the roof as the home crowd erupted to celebrate the first points of the evening as Tolman became just the tenth man in history to score in game 300.

“We watched a highlight reel of his career yesterday and all the tries are either diving on grubbers or barging over like that,” Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said.

“He was so uncomfortable during the week that it was about him, but he went about his work and delivered a performance like he always does.”

Tolman is one of the unsung heroes in rugby league, but he is part of something special brewing in the Shire.

As his former club the Storm celebrates the 10-year anniversary of their 2012 premiership of which he was a part of the losing Bulldogs team, Tolman can start dreaming of a return to the grand final if his Sharks continue to play like this.

“He’s exactly the same,” Dale Finucane said of his former Bulldogs teammate.

Sione Katoa proved once again he’s one of the best finishers in the NRL. Picture: Getty Images.

RUNAWAY TANK

Sharks winger Sione Katoa must have been a gymnast in another life. His acrobatic effort just before half-time was not only spectacular but also gave his side a crucial 8-0 lead running into the wind.

It could’ve been the second magical four-pointer of the half but Matt Moylan’s elastic offload to Siosifa Talakai won’t make the record books because of an obstruction earlier in the play.

The try would have capped a frightening first half by Talakai who terrorised Dane Gagai in defence which is no small feat given how well the rep centre has started the year.

Talakai isn’t the tallest guy in the league but the nuggety unit has to be one of the strongest. He broke 10 tackles and ran for 119 metres in the first 40 and then got the try he deserved when he fended away from Kurt Mann to seal the two points.

“I thought it was crucial for him to hold up his position against Dane Gagai,” Fitzgibbon said.

“He’s just no fuss. He went about his work and had a powerful performance.”

Siosifa Talakai was the true star of the show, looking dangerous with every touch of the ball. Picture: Getty Images.

PONGA’S KNIGHTMARE

Maybe it was his troublesome knee. Perhaps it was the conditions. Either way, Kalyn Ponga had a stinker in his return from injury.

The Knights fullback is one of the premier players in the NRL but he looked out of sorts on a night that was never going to be easy for someone in his position.

Playing his second game of the season, Ponga coughed it up three times in the first half and hardly got involved as Newcastle’s hot start to the year came crashing down in the cold.

“I wasn’t too happy, but it was good to be back. I’d like to win, though,” Ponga said.

The trouble started in the first half when they failed to post a point with a cyclonic wind at their backs.

They should have dominated the contest but instead enjoyed just 37 per cent of the territory because of ill-discipline and an inability to contain Cronulla’s rampaging forwards.

Kalyn Ponga struggled in his return from injury, failing to make an impact on the game. Picture: Getty Images.

BAD KNIGHT GETS WORSE

The Knights will head into next week’s game against Sea Eagles potentially without several key players.

Rep forward Tyson Frizell came off in the second half with a suspected hamstring injury, Jake Clifford is on report for a high tackle and Dom Young was sent to the sin bin for a lifting tackle that put Ronaldo Mulitalo in a dangerous position.

“In 200 games he’s never had a hamstring (injury),” Knights coach Adam O’Brien said.

“He thought it was cramp, but the medical staff think it’s a hammy.

“We’re running really light on back-rowers at the moment.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Cronulla Sharks win 18-0 over Newcastle Knights | Match Report