Raiders v Sharks: Smithies to start; Wilton into second row
After starting the season with wins, both the Raiders and the Sharks have lost their next games and will be itching to return to the winners circle this week.
Canberra claimed a golden point thriller over Manly in Round 1 with an Ethan Sanders field goal before being thoroughly outplayed by the red-hot Warriors in Round 2. Last week, they came close, but could not overcome the tenacious Bulldogs in tough conditions.
The Sharks posted up a big opening round win over the Titans in a pointscoring bonanza, but they too came crashing back to earth in Round 2, with the Panthers suffocating them out of their game in Bathurst.
In Round 3, while things were close early, Cronulla were no match for the Dolphins when they went on their try-scoring run, going down 38-10, despite some fairly even possession and completion rates.
While both teams were regarded at sides to beat this year given their consistent finals appearances in recent seasons and strong showing last year, coaches Ricky Stuart and Craig Fitzgibbon will be hoping to see plenty of improvement this game.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Round 4 -
home Team
Raiders
15th Position
away Team
Sharks
9th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Team News
Raiders: Morgan Smithies is set to start at prop after Josh Papalii accepted a one-game ban for a high tackle. Young gun Joe Roddy is the new face on the bench and is pushing for his second NRL appearance. Matt Timoko and Chevy Stewart were omitted in the 24-hour update.
Sharks: Briton Nikora will miss Sunday's crucial clash due to a broken nose, opening the door for Teig Wilton to return to the starting side. The back-rower made a successful comeback from shoulder surgery via the interchange last week. Braden Uele comes on to the bench as a result. Jayden Berrell and Mawene Hiroti were omitted in the 24-hour update.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Round 4 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio TamaleWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi SasagiCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan SandersHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Morgan SmithiesProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Sharks is number 15 Toby Rudolf
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Noah Martin2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey HorsburghLock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Jayden BraileyInterchange for Sharks is number 10 Thomas Hazelton
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Zac HoskingInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata MariotaInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Joe RoddyInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Uele
Reserves
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Daine LaurieReserve for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Jed StuartReserve for Sharks is number 20 Chris Vea'ila
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have lost their last three games at GIO Stadium.
- The Sharks have won four of their last five games against the Raiders.
- Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored seven tries in his last eight games at GIO Stadium.
- Sharks winger Sione Katoa has scored five tries in his last six games against the Raiders.
- Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange will play his 50th NRL game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
