Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon confirmed ahead of Friday’s captain’s run that Talakai was battling shoulder and ankle niggles. Connor Tracey moves into the centres and Brad Hamlin-Uele will start at prop.
Manly Sea Eagles players and staff have been spoken to amid an investigation into Keith Titmuss' tragic death in 2020
The NSW Origin centre succumbed this week after enduring extensive rehab work to play in to North Queensland.
Former rugby sevens flyer Lachlan Miller is the new starting winger.
Several of the Sharks biggest names,including Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane,were kept on light,contact-free training duties this week as
Rabbitohs star Graham has been kept under similar wraps this week as he manages a shoulder injury,training for part of Friday’s captain’s run in a rehab bib.
Siosifa Talakai’s season could be over following news the rampaging back-rower could miss the clash with Souths.Getty
Coach Jason Demetriou insisted,however that Graham,who has been sidelined this year by concussion and a facial fracture,is in no doubt for Saturday’s clash at a sold-out Allianz Stadium.
“He’s fine,he’ll get a needle tomorrow but he’s tough as nails,” Demetriou said on Friday. “He’ll be right to go tomorrow night.”
Talakai’s withdrawal comes as Cronulla knocked back the chance to get an early look at the rebuilt venue. Souths have at least had two dress-rehearsals at the ground they one day want to call home,facing the Sydney Roosters there twice in the past fortnight.
Cronulla,meanwhile,are technically the home team but are yet to set foot inside Sydney’s newest ground.
They were given the option to complete their captain’s run at Allianz on Friday,but Fitzgibbon opted to prioritise routine over the need to familiarise with the new ground.
“We wanted to keep consistency of prep,” Fitzgibbon said.
“Obviously not to work your way over there through the mid-morning traffic,hang out,make a full day of it.
“We’ll get to experience it first-hand on Saturday night. The guys are looking forward to that.”
withAAP
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