NRL Match Preview: Round 5 v Raiders

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Wed 2 Apr 2025, 07:59 PM

After a short week, the Sharks are aiming to return straight to the winner's circle when they meet the Raiders to kick off NRL Multicultural Round at GIO Stadium on Thursday night.

24-hour squad

With both teams coming into the match off five-day turnarounds and last-start losses, it's bound to be a willing contest in the nation's capital.

"Short turnarounds allow you to get back to business as soon as possible and get out there and atone," Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said.

Cronulla are hellbent on doing just that after having a two-game winning streak snapped by the Bulldogs in a 20-6 defeat at home on Saturday.

Canberra, having enjoyed a blazing start to the season, are also motivated to recapture top form after falling to Manly and North Queensland.

"We've got to respond from our performance last week," Fitzgibbon said.

"We've got a lot of players who weren't happy with their performance and they need to improve that. It makes for an exciting contest, but (the Raiders) are a quality side.

"There's no way we're underestimating them ... We're looking more at their first two performances. They showed their capability levels there."

Canberra were once a bogey team for the Sharks, who lost nine consecutive matches to the Green Machine from 2019-23.

But the script has flipped in recent years, with Cronulla now on the cusp of four head-to-head wins in a row for the first time since 2007-08. The most recent clash, in April last year, resulted in a crushing 40-0 triumph for Fitzgibbon's men.

Injuries and sickness have forced changes for the Sharks. Second-rower Teig Wilton (illness) has been replaced in the run-on side by Billy Burns in a major 24-hour update. As announced on Tuesday, centre Kayal Iro (hamstring) and bench utility Siosifa Talakai (concussion protocols) will be covered by speedster Mawene Hiroti and prop Tom Hazelton, who is set to return from a back issue.

While Iro began the year in fine touch, Fitzgibbon is confident Hiroti will capably fill the void on the left edge after an outstanding pre-season.

"The last couple of years, whenever we've brought him in he's really delivered for us. He played really strongly in the All Stars and was really close to selection to start (the season) with Sione (Katoa) getting hurt," the coach explained.

"We're really excited for Mawene to get another opportunity. And we get Tommy back in. Tommy was close last week but he's definitely right to go this week."

The Round 5 match marks the first of six weeks away from Sharks Stadium for Cronulla, with journeys to Perth and Newcastle also on the horizon.

However, the men in black, white and blue are living in the moment.

"We're looking forward to this trip only at this stage," Fitzgibbon said.

"It's important we don't talk about what's coming for too long. We've got to focus on this one. This one trip is the most important trip for us so far."

As always, the halves matchup will be crucial with Cronulla's Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall facing off against Canberra's Jamal Fogarty and Ethan Strange.

Possessing tremendous long kicking games – with Trindall booting two 40/20s in Round 3 and Fogarty ranking sixth for overall kick metres (1538) in 2025 – the playmakers will assume a pivotal role in deciding field position.

But the big boppers may ultimately dictate the result. A consistent Cronulla pack spearheaded by Tongan powerhouse Addin Fonua-Blake and workhorse captain Cameron McInnes will lock horns with a powerful yet mobile Raiders unit including international stars Josh Papalii, Joe Tapine and Hudson Young.

In the battle of the minds, Fitzgibbon is pitted against his former mentor Ricky Stuart, who coached him to a premiership at the Roosters in 2002.

Fitzgibbon won the Clive Churchill Medal under his opponent's tutelage and said on Friday that he played the best football of his career with Stuart at the helm.

Still, there won't be any niceties between the pair on Thursday until full-time.

The match will be broadcast live on Nine, Nine Now, Foxtel and Kayo.

Kick-off is at 8pm AEDT.

See the updated team lists below.

Round 5 - Thursday 3rd April

Full Time

Raiders

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet
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 Mawene Hiroti
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 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Raiders is number 16 Morgan Smithies

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 Matty Nicholson

2nd Row for Sharks is number 22 Billy Burns
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen Pattie

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Thomas Hazelton
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Simi Sasagi

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Tuku Hau Tapuha