NRL Match Preview: Sharks v Raiders

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Sat 27 Apr 2024, 04:04 PM

A month after their last clash, the Sharks will meet the Raiders in Canberra on Sunday for a special ANZAC Round showdown.

Having overturned an 18-0 deficit to beat Canberra 36-22 at home in Round 4, Cronulla are expecting a response in the return bout at GIO Stadium.

Following a thumping 42-6 victory over the Cowboys last weekend, the Sharks will go into the match inspired by revered leader Dale Finucane, who announced his immediate medical retirement in front of the squad on Tuesday.

They will also field a new halves pairing, with fourth-gamer Daniel Atkinson to partner Nicho Hynes and start for the first time at five-eighth.

Prop Toby Rudolf has dropped out of the squad after being named on the bench, with Tuku Hau Tapuha and Royce Hunt remaining on an extended interchange as options to replace him.

Sitting atop the ladder after seven rounds as they chase a fourth-straight victory, captain Cameron McInnes declared Cronulla are ready to overcome obstacles.

"There's no good time for adversity, is there? But whatever shape or form it comes in in a season, it's going to strike somewhere," McInnes said.

"It's still an opportunity for us to show how strong of a club we are and for guys – Dan Atkinson in particular, he's at the forefront of that – it's a huge opportunity ... You can't just turn to water when things happen."

The Raiders entered the round in seventh position with a 4-3 record, having been beaten 34-10 by the rampant Broncos in their most recent outing.

The Green Machine are dealing with issues of their own after losing chief playmaker Jamal Fogarty to a long-term biceps injury. Kaeo Weakes will come in.

But with the advantage of a home crowd cheering them on as Ricky Stuart becomes the fifth man to coach 500 premiership games, Canberra will be hellbent on reversing the result from the Round 4 fixture at PointsBet Stadium.

In an interesting subplot, Stuart will mark the milestone with Craig Fitzgibbon in the opposing coach's box. Fitzgibbon played under Stuart at the Roosters, receiving the 2002 Clive Churchill Medal as they claimed a fairytale premiership.

The Sharks are looking to win three consecutive matches against the Raiders for the first time since 2007-08. They'll want to start fast given that Canberra have scored the first try in eight of their past nine encounters.

Cronulla halfback Hynes has total faith in his new offsider Atkinson but has put the onus on himself to take charge and increase his leadership role.

"If I can take the pressure off (Atkinson) as much as possible, I will," he said.

"I'm the leader of that spine and Will (Kennedy, fullback) and Blayke (Brailey, hooker) and going to do the same. We'll keep it very, very simple for him, clear his mind so he can go out there and play to Daniel Atkinson's strengths."

Finucane may not be on the field anymore, but his impact will endure.

"(We want to) honour this jersey – and, for that matter, Dale, who gave so much to it," McInnes said. "This club, this playing group, is united, strong."

Kick-off is at 4.05pm, with TV coverage on Nine, Nine Now, Foxtel and Kayo.

See the updated 19-man team lists below.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Sunday 28 Apr

Full Time

Raiders

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Chevy Stewart

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Raiders is number 2 James Schiller

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Kaeo Weekes

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Thomas Hazelton
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Simi Sasagi

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jack Williams
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Trey Mooney

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami Saulo

Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha