UPDATE 5.20pm:
Wade Graham has been named at five-eighth to replace the suspended Ben Barba for this Saturday’s game at 5.30pm against the Gold Coast Titans at Remondis Stadium.
Graham started his career at Penrith in the No.6 jersey but now plays in the back row.
Cronulla Sharks: Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale, Ricky Leutele, Valentine Holmes, Wade Graham, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, Michael Ennis, Chris Heighington, Jayson Bukuya, Anthony Tupou, Paul Gallen (C), Interchange: Luke Lewis, Matt Prior, Jack Bird, David Fifita
18 Tinirau Arona, (one to be omitted).
EARLIER STORY:
Cronulla Sharks five eighth Ben Barba has taken the early guilty plea on two match review committee charges coming out of the game against the Melbourne Storm on Saturday.
Barba was charged with a grade-one dangerous throw on Storm centre Kurt Mann in the 27th minute of the match, and also grade-one dangerous contact on winger Marika Koroibete in the 44th minute, with the combined points tally of 224.
When this is added to 65 carry over points, it means he will miss the Sharks next two games against the Titans and Roosters.
Barba will also have 89 carry over points on his record.
After viewing the video of both incidents, the Sharks felt the best course of action was to not challenge the charges and to accept the early pleas.
Should they have challenged either or both charges and lost either case, Barba would have missed a third match.
The loss of Barba comes as a blow after three losses to start the Sharks 2015 season, with coach Shane Flanagan now looking for a new five-eighth for the round four game against Gold Titans at 5.30pm on Saturday at Remondis Stadium.
Flanagan is yet to name a replacement as to who will wear the No.6 jersey.
Who is the right person to play five-eighth with Ben Barba suspended?
