NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Sharks

Author: Hayden Blackmore
Timestamp: Thu 28 Mar 2024, 12:04 PM

The Canberra Raiders travel to the Shire to face the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at Pointsbet Stadium in Sydney on Sunday, looking to continue their strong start to the season.

After going down to the Warriors in New Zealand last week in a tight affair, the Raiders will be hoping to bounce back against a depleted Sharks outfit.

The Sharks will be hoping to amend last week's loss to the Wests Tigers in front of their home fans.

Round 4 - Round 4 - Sunday 31 Mar

Full Time

Sharks

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan Rapana
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Raiders is number 2 James Schiller
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Thomas Hazelton

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Siosifa Talakai

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Raiders is number 16 Zac Hosking
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ata Mariota
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Billy Burns

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami Saulo
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Tuku Hau Tapuha

Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Corey Horsburgh

Reserves

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Jayden Berrell

Replacement for Raiders is number 22 Nick Cotric

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 4/2/2024 2:38:11 AM

Talking Points

Jordan Rapana will play his 200th game for the Raiders this weekend after making his debut for the club in Round 22 in 2014 against the Parramatta Eels.
The Cronulla Sharks are without key forwards Royce Hunt, Dale Finucane and Toby Rudolf, who are all missing through injury.
James Schiller comes into the first grade side for the first time this season after an impressive start to the season in NSW Cup, while Sebastian Kris returns after missing last week's defeat due to concussion.
A win for either side will see them advance to 3-1 in the opening month of the competition.

"They are coming off a loss, they'll be fired up and they will have a big crowd there, so really want to go up there and upset the party and get a win. That's the most important thing."
Jordan Rapana

Last Time They Met

The Cronulla Sharks defeated the Canberra Raiders 24-6 at PointsBet Stadium.

Key Match-Up

Jordan Rapana v William Kennedy

Both sets of fans will be looking to the battle of the fullbacks with intrigue as they will be instrumental in the result on Sunday evening.

This weekend marks the 200th Raiders appearance for Canberra stalwart Jordan Rapana, with the fullback a clear barometer for the energy and effort of the Canberra side.

Rapana enters this week's game after a strong start to the 2024 campaign, with two tries, one try assist and twelve tackle breaks, while averaging 178 running metres in the opening three matches.

Cronulla fullback William Kennedy has been impressive to begin the season, with his light footwork and strong kick return metres key features of his game.

Kennedy comes into this weekend's game with an impressive eleven tackle breaks and an average of 123 running metres per game. Whilst yet to score this year, the number one for Cronulla crossed the line 14 times in season 2023.