Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan says the NRL All-Stars concept needs to be re-thought after the Sharks pre-season plans were thrown into disarray.
Cronulla host Manly at Shark Park on Sunday in their first trial match of the season but will be without six of their senior players – or $3 million of their salary cap – who were selected in the All-Stars match in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Captain Paul Gallen, hooker Michael Ennis, Ben Barba, Wade Graham and Andrew and David Fifita were chosen to represent the World and Indigenous teams.
Gallen withdrew from the All-Stars match on Monday with a calf strain and won’t feature for Cronulla on Sunday.
Flanagan told The Leader there needed to be changes to the All-Stars concept.
“The timing of it’s awful,” he said.
“From the game’s perspective you can’t have the [Auckland] Nines and the All-Stars [so close] together.
“I understand the idea of it [but] as a game we need to move on.
“We’re struggling to field a side [against Manly].
“You don’t know how many you’re going to have [playing All-Stars].
“It’s disruptive. The club pays these blokes to play for Cronulla and then they get dragged away three weeks before the season starts.”
The club pays these blokes to play for Cronulla and then they get dragged away three weeks before the season starts.
- Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan
Flanagan suggested Indigenous teams could be invited to play in next year’s Auckland Nines instead of holding the All-Stars event.
Cronulla will use the match against Manly to blood new combinations.
Jack Bird will get the first opportunity to play fullback, while it will be the first chance for Sharks fans to see James Maloney wearing their colours.
Flanagan said he looked forward to seeing the combination of Bird, Maloney and new halfback Chad Townsend in action.
“A few of the younger boys will get an opportunity,” he said.
“I’ve got to be mindful it’s only a trial but [Manly] will be a good test.”
Wingers Sosaia Feki and Valentine Holmes, who missed the Auckland Nines with a knee strain and club suspension respectively, will play.
The club will also hold its season launch on Sunday, with gates open from 2pm.
There will be kids' activities on the Family Hill and a performance from the Mermaids as well as an under-20s trial.
First grade starts at 5pm.