McInnes to miss start of NRL season

While the former St George Illawarra captain hasn't played since September 2020, his new Cronulla teammates have credited him with helping to set standards through his professionalism and work ethic.

Despite the absence of McInnes, Sharks fans have reason to be excited about Monday's final trial against Canterbury at PointsBet Stadium with fellow off-season acquisitions Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane set to play.

McInnes had been slated to wear the No.13 jersey under coach Craig Fitzgibbon, a role Finucane could now assume instead of starting at prop when Cronulla's NRL season kicks off on March 11 in Canberra.