Andrew Fifita was immense last night, a huge thorn in the Warriors' side. The 1.96m, 114kg prop, who has the most hit-ups and metres in the NRL, was almost unstoppable and showed surprising agility to set up the Sharks' fourth try.
Combined with the Warriors poor execution, the Sharks defence tackled everything that moved and there wasn't enough movement to trouble their well-organised defence. Their fifth tackle plays were awful, which meant they couldn't build any pressure.
The Sharks don't really live up to their name. Cronulla are not the kind of team that will savage you, destroy you with some swift blows. But they are a grinding, old-fashioned kind of football team who compete in the arm-wrestle as well as anyone in the NRL. They are also a disciplined side, having conceded the fewest penalties in the competition and they are tenacious - this win was their sixth this season by less than five points.
This was always going to be a tricky game; with every week of the Warriors' fabulous winning run, expectation has risen. While fans hoped they could beat the star-studded Storm last week, they were expected to beat the Sharks last night.
But they were flat for the first half hour, beset by mistakes not seen in the last two months. Unnecessary passes were pushed, balls were dropped, silly penalties given away; heads were down, hands were on hips and the crowd was subdued.
There was effort but little intelligence or rhythm.
Even the crowd was subdued; instead of being there to help drive the team to victory, it felt like they were sitting in their seats to be entertained.
The Sharks took full advantage, scoring two tries in the first half hour. With one of their first opportunities, they attacked the Warriors' right edge and struck gold; Jonathan Wright sliding between Konrad Hurrell and Ngani Laumape with ease.
It continues to be an uncomfortable initiation for Hurrell; in only his third full season of league he is learning his defensive trade but has to do it in the full glare of the NRL spotlight.
The visitors' second try was a bit of brilliance from the scrum base, which evoked memories of Clayton Friend and Hugh McGahan for the Kiwis or the Canberra duo of Bradley Clyde and Ricky Stuart.
Paul Gallen picked up from the base of the scrum, before flicking it inside to Dean Pomeroy who sprinted over untouched.
The Warriors finally got some momentum in the final 10 minutes of the half, with Vatuvei diving over for his 113th NRL try after a half break by Leuluai and threatened again twice before half-time.
That didn't last. Cronulla extended their lead through Nathan Stapleton (47th minute), were unlucky to have a another try disallowed by the video referee; Carney knocked over a penalty.
There was some hope when Hurrell barged over for a trademark try in the 70th minute, one of the few times he was in open space all night and then Vatuvei soared to take a Johnson bomb. But there was too much ground to make up.
Warriors 14 (M. Vatuvei 2, K. Hurrell tries; S. Johnson goal), Sharks 18 (J. Wright, D. Pomeroy, N. Stapleton tries; T. Carney 3 goals). Halftime: 10-4.
