At the halfway point of the season, the Sharks are in the midst of a top-four push, sitting just two premiership points behind the fourth place Storm.
Cronulla returns to Shark Park this week as they host the Warriors in a pivotal clash with major finals implications.
The team will pull on a specially-designed jersey for this game, designed in consultation with members of the NRL squad with Pasifika heritage.
What is the 'Tangata Moana' jersey?
The 'Tangata Moana' is a jersey concept that has been created to honour the Pasifika heritage of people within the Sharks community.
The Sharks are proud to unveil our inaugural Tangata Moana jersey — honouring the strength, resilience and deep cultural connection of our Pasifika players.
— Cronulla Sharks (@cronullasharks) May 28, 2025
Grab yours now: https://t.co/KvGGhYXhz7 pic.twitter.com/w1jxRDEhtn
Pasifika artists Allen Villi and Katrina Iosia from the Katal creative studio were the designers of this jersey and spoke to its significance in a statement released by the club.
"The Tangata Moana jersey design deeply acknowledges our Pasifika players who have laid down the foundation for our players today and for those who will continue to be leaders of the future," they explained.
"Tangata Moana represents the strength, resilience, and unity of our Pasifika people, celebrating their rich heritage and ongoing contributions to the game and beyond.
"The cultural designs drawn from various Pasifika nations are intricately woven throughout the jersey."
Sharks enforcer and Tongan international Addin Fonua-Blake described what it will mean to represent his heritage by wearing this jersey on Saturday night.
"Pasifika brothers make up a large number (52 percent) of the NRL, so to have a round dedicated to all our cultures, I'm sure the boys are going to be very proud to put this on," he said.
"It's going to fuel a fire that's already burning inside them."
Another player who will be personally affected by the significance of the occasion is star centre KL Iro.
Iro will have more than 80 family and friends coming to the game from the Cook Islands. The group includes members of the under-13s Arorangi Bears – Iro's junior team.
"My mum (Tina) drove it heaps. She put it out early in the year and they’ve been fundraising all year for it. It’s going to be a special game," Iro told Sharks Media.
"It’s going to be weird having all the family here at once, but special at the same time."