Finals Week 2 of the 2026 NRL season kicks off with Sydney Roosters hosting Cronulla Sharks at Allianz Stadium on Saturday. Here’s our preview and best markets.
A month is a long, long time in rugby league… just ask Trent Robinson.
Easts are yet to enjoy a winning changeroom after beating Penrith 12-6 in NRL Round 24, in what many described as a Grand Final preview.
After a very similar scoreline – albeit a very different result – last week though, the Roosters have been forced to take the long route to the 2026 NRL Grand Final, starting with Cronulla.
The Panthers did a tremendous job of putting work into Daly Cherry-Evans early last week and it paid dividends last. With a near season-high 32 tackles by fulltime, DCE was gassed and out of position to make the winning play.
Aside from a response from the veteran halfback, I’m expecting a more balanced approach in attack overall from the Roosters this week.
Hugo Savala didn’t spend a lot of time on the ball v Penrith as Cherry-Evans and James Tedesco called the shots in attack but I like the five-eighth to feature more prominently on Saturday night.
A big body capable of passing at the line profiles well against a Cronulla left edge that continues to be a spot for opposing teams. If Savala can get at Nicho Hynes and hold him up with a Salesi Foketi lead, I like the spaces to appear around the Cronulla halfback. North Queensland tied him up to cash in three times last week and I like the Roosters to attempt the same.
For Cronulla, short of a full-frontal forward assault around the ruck, they may have to try something different in attack here.
Their slingshot attack has historically struggled against Easts edges who have defended expertly in recent weeks. The Sharks might have some more joy taking a leaf out of Penrith’s book and crashing the middle, generating momentum through Blayke Brailey and flood the ruck once fatigue sets in.
They can do it, but it’s Easts with the experience and the gameplan to progress to the prelims.
Tips
Best: Roosters @ $1.46
Anytime Try Scorers: Hugo Savala @ $3.45 & James Tedesco @ $2.40
Same Game Multi: Roosters + Hugo Savala Anytime Try + James Tedesco Anytime Try @ $7.12
Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks Odds & Popular Betting Markets
Here’s a quick look at the current odds and popular betting markets for the Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks matchup.
*odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change