Matt Moylan plays in Cronulla colours for the first time in pre-season scrimmage with Wigan

MATT Moylan has gotten his first hit out in Sharks colours during a pre-season scrimmage with Wigan in sweltering conditions at Shark Park.

THE temperature felt as hot as a Penrith swelter.

But there was nothing old about the new and improved, Matt Moylan.

Proving there is life in the Shire after James Maloney, Moylan slipped on the Cronulla number six jersey for the first time in a hitout against English Super League side Wigan at Shark Park.

In stifling 40 degree heat, Moylan — who spent five seasons at Penrith — appeared fit and fast, posing a constant threat to the Wigan defensive line on both left and right sides of the field.

If anything, Moylan was guilty of trying too hard.

Moylan had some fine touches in his first run as a Shark.

While he came up with two simple errors, the former NSW Origin star also prized open Wigan on several occasions, none better than when piloting Valentine Holmes through a narrow gap with a silky inside ball.

Test centre Josh Dugan also picked up where he left from a dominant World Cup, saving one try and setting up another for exciting new wing partner, Sione Katoa.

The Sharks ran away seven tries to one victors.

Moylan’s combination with premiership-winning halfback Chad Townsend is critical to Cronulla’s fortunes in 2018.

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Josh Dugan turned out in a Sharks jersey for the first time. Picture: David Swift.

The duo will continue their development together when the Sharks host Manly in a trial at Shark Park on Saturday night.

Townsend said that in the departure of Maloney, he was relishing the opportunity to form a combination with Moylan while taking ownership of steering the Sharks.

“Moysa (Moylan) and myself are obviously a new combination and Matt’s a very different player to James (Maloney),’’ Townsend said.

“He’s got that X-factor flair about him.

“Matt’s probably got a little bit more speed than Jimmy and likes to play a few more short sides, but a lot of their traits are very similar.

Moylan will form a combination with Chad Townsend this season.

“My key role will be making sure to steer the team around and making sure we execute the game plan and allowing Matt the freedom to play his game.

“I’ll take control of everything else, the game plan the coaches will assign for us and then we want him to play his game and not be stuck down to too much structure because his best game is playing what’s in front and running the ball.

“He can play anywhere across the field. I’m excited to have him in our team and see what he can provide for us.

“We’ve got a lot of personalities in our team, a lot of senior players.

“I know where I fit in regards to that.

“I’m really comfortable with my role and what I’m required to do for the team each week.

“I’ve been doing it for a few years now so I’m really looking forward to improving on that and making sure we can execute our game plan to give us the best chance of winning a few games.’’

Originally published as Matt Moylan plays in Cronulla colours for the first time in pre-season scrimmage with Wigan