Cronulla Sharks beat Canberra Raiders 30-20 in NRL round 10 clash

CRONULLA'S Andrew Fifita scored a thundering, match-sealing try against Canberra before declaring: ''I'm ready for Origin.''

STANDING 194cms and weighing a colossal 114kgs, Cronulla forward Andrew Fifita scored a thundering try before declaring: ''I feel I'm ready for Origin.''

Fifita is poised to be rewarded for his stellar season by winning a bench spot for NSW in State of Origin I on June 5.

In the 70th minute during Canberra's second half comeback, Fifita took the ball 10 metres out from the Raiders tryline and went through, past and over four defenders to score a barnstorming try.

It was not only the match-sealing try but a four-pointer which could shoot Fifita in the Blues squad to tackle Queensland.

''I feel like I am ready for Origin,'' Fifita said after Cronulla's 30-20 win at Sharks Stadium.

''My job is easy. To get the ball and run as fast as I can.''

Game details and stats

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There is no doubt Fifita would terrorise Queensland. He is one massive unit.

''He is big, mobile and would make an impact off the bench,'' said Sharks skipper Wade Graham. ''He would be hard to handle.

''Andrew is really enthusiastic and confident. He would bring plenty of energy.

''He does the job for us each week.''

Andrew Fifita

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan offered up more reasons why Fifita should be considered for NSW selection.

''He can carry the ball - don't worry about that,'' Flanagan said.

''Andrew scored the match-winning try when we really needed him to stand up.

''He is a big unit, he's an athlete and he's getting better and better every week.''

NSW coach Laurie Daley added: ''If he continues his current form, who knows what is around the corner.''

It was an entertaining game. Cronulla jumped out to a 12-0 lead after only 16 minutes before a Canberra comeback put them within four points deep into the match.

The game wasn't officially over under Fifita barrelled over under the posts.

It was a strong win by Cronulla, who continue to attract drama and headlines over the ASADA doping scandal.

The win was more meritorious given the Sharks were without injured rep stars Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis.

''It was an important game that we really needed to win to help build our season,'' said Cronulla halfback Jeff Robson.

Canberra's hopes of winning fell away when three players - Josh McCrone, Shaun Fensom and Joel Edwards - came from the field injured, while the Sharks lost Michael Gordon to a knee injury. 

Tagataese on McCrone

Still the Raiders pushed Cronulla right to the death.

''It's disappointing,'' said Raiders coach David Furner. ''Losing Josh probably put our game plan out the window.

''We tried to fight back and we gave ourselves a chance and we went close.

''A couple of individual decisions we made in defence hurt us.''

Raiders skipper Terry Campese stressed his side must start games stronger.

''We play Manly next week - they'll put more points on us than Cronulla did today,'' Campese said.

Cronulla five-eighth Todd Carney played well to retain his chances of playing Origin while Canberra's Blake Ferguson scored a try but had a couple of defensive mis-reads.

''I think Todd is in better form this year than when he played for NSW last season,'' Flanagan said.

Rookie Tyrone Peachey was impressive and scored a wonderful solo try only to have it taken away by the video referees.

Canberra's Anthony Milford, another star of the future, scored two tries and looks to have speed and a step.

CRONULLA 30 (J Bukuya I De Gois A Fifita B Ross J Wright tries M Gordon 3 T Carney 2 goals) bt CANBERRA 20 (A Milford 2 B Ferguson J Wighton tries B Ferguson 2 goals) at Sharks Stadium. Referee: Chris James, Adam Devcich. Crowd: 12,130.

Todd Carney