Cronulla are facing a forwards’ shortage after losing three middles to injury during their poor showing against Wests Tigers.

The Sharks had one of their worst nights of the Craig Fitzgibbon era on Saturday, stuck down by constant errors to be soundly beaten 32-6 by the Tigers.

But the bigger issue for Cronulla may become the flow-on effect, ahead of their Easter Sunday clash with Canberra at Shark Park.

Prop Royce Hunt didn’t even make the field on Saturday night after injuring his calf warming up on the sideline.

Lock Dale Finucane is already out of the Raiders clash after suffering a concussion, while Toby Rudolf suffered a suspected syndesmosis injury and left Leichhardt Oval on crutches.

It’s unlikely any of the trio will be fit to face the Raiders next week, leaving the Sharks well down on troops for the clash.

Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) is yet to play this season but is some chance to return soon, while Tuku Hau Tapuha is another option who debuted last week.

“We’ve got some guys, we can move guys around,” Craig Fitzgibbon said.

“We’ve got some versatile guys, we’ll have to work it out during the week.”

Cronulla’s injuries capped their woeful night.

They coughed up the ball regularly, with four of the Tigers’ five tries coming directly after errors.

It came against a Tigers outfit who had their most complete game of the past year, scoring tries with structure while defending well.

Crucially, the Tigers were able to have runners go with hooker Apisai Koroisau out of dummy-half, overcoming a problem that plagued them for much of 2023.

The same positives could not be taken by the Sharks in their first defeat of the year.

“This jersey deserves more than what we gave it tonight,” captain Cameron McInnes said.

“We were searching for things and not playing hard, tough simple footy and kicking it back to them and trusting that. 

“That’s what happens when you don’t apply yourself to the game.”