NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Sharks centre debuts as Townsend returns for Roosters

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Welcome to the Shire, welcome to Flavour Country

Greetings sports fans,

Coming to you live and loud from The Shire, where Cronulla host the Roosters with all sorts of top eight implications. Should be fun.

Former Sharks premiership-winner Chad Townsend returns to his old stomping ground for his first NRL game since April, partnering Sam Walker in the halves as the Roosters look to build into a finals berth.

Cronulla are back in the winner’s circle too, with Nicho Hynes back in form and delivering a crucial last-start win over the Dolphins. Kick-off at 6pm, and I see sliders here in the al fresco press box. All happening.

5.51pm

Dragons lose Origin star for season

5.43pm

Why Robinson recalled a 34-year-old ‘coach’ as he searches for the Roosters’ soul

Trent Robinson knows Sandon Smith “can play better,” which is why the Roosters utility isn’t playing.

Chad Townsend is instead getting a run against the Cronulla outfit he won a title with almost a decade ago, in part because he still likes to curl up on the lounge, after 267 NRL games, and pour over a good stats package.

Coach Cameron Ciraldo confirms Lachlan Galvin will start at No.7 against the Dragons.

And all the while, Robinson and his Roosters are, in the words of their coach, searching for their soul and identity.

With the best post-Origin record of any side in the past five seasons (Fox Sports has them winning 85 per cent of late-season games since 2021) and a run of games against finals contenders, the Tricolours will be fascinating to watch for the next two months.

Read the full story here.

5.31pm

Late Mail: Sharks centre debuts

Roosters are 1-17 with final teams in. Cronulla have brought in 22-year-old centre Chris Vea’ila after a few years in NSW Cup, he comes in out wide for Jesse Ramien. Daniel Atkinson also drops off the bench with Craig Fitzgibbon going for four forwards and Billy Burns in his place.

Sharks:1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 19. Chris Vea’ila 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Bench: 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns. 18th man: 14. Daniel Atkinson

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Chad Townsend 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Victor Radley Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu. 18th man: 18. Ethan King

5.22pm