THURSDAY APRIL 3rd GIO STADIUM CANBERRA
CANBERRA RAIDERS v CRONULLA SHARKS
The Raiders and the Sharks will kick off NRL Round 5 this week at GIO Stadium. Both teams are eager to bounce back from last week’s defeats, but the Raiders, in particular, will be desperate to respond after their disappointing loss to the previously winless Cowboys.
Meanwhile, the Sharks fell to a strong Bulldogs side, but there’s no reason for them to be too disheartened. They’ll be looking to regroup quickly and exploit a Raiders defense that conceded 30 points to North Queensland in their last outing.
We still see the Sharks as a top-four caliber team, and they’ll be confident of securing the points in the nation’s capital on Thursday night.
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine , 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi , 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi 19. Jed Stuart 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Adam Cook
International back-rower Morgan Smithies (concussion) returns via the bench, while Josh Papali’i has been named in the starting lineup. However, coach Ricky Stuart often shifts the veteran middle forward back to the bench the day before the game, so a late change wouldn’t be surprising. Trey Mooney drops out of the squad and moves to the extended bench.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti , 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson , 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Chris Veaila, 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Billy Burns
Young talent Kayal Iro (hamstring injury), who scored a try last week, will miss this game, with Mawene Hiroti replacing him in the centres. Additionally, Siosifa Talakai (concussion) is sidelined, allowing Tom Hazelton (back injury) to return from the bench.
Referee, Todd Smith, Touch Judges, Kasey Badger, Phil Henderson ,Bunker, Ashley Klein
The Raiders have won four of their past five games at GIO Stadium.
The Sharks have scored 100 points in their last three games against the Raiders.
Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored five tries in his past four games at GIO Stadium.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored nine tries in 11 games against the Raiders.
Raiders prop Josh Papalii has scored five tries in his past eight games.
Tip. Last week, the Raiders struggled in the sweltering conditions of Townsville, suffering their first loss of the season to the Cowboys. Meanwhile, the Sharks were overpowered at home by a relentless Bulldogs side.
Both teams have had a week to regroup and make adjustments, but which one will bounce back stronger? The Raiders will be fired up in front of their home crowd, but the Sharks have the overall quality to come out on top.
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