Raiders v Sharks: Papalii on bench; Talakai to start
Canberra dug themselves out of a hole with a vastly improved showing in round 17 to take down the high-flying Sea Eagles.
Having won just two of 11 since round five, the Raiders were on the skids but with Joseph Tapine, Ryan Sutton and Hudson Young leading the charge they overcame the absence of Origin stars Jack Wighton and Josh Papalii to register a morale-boosting win.
The Sharks made it five wins from their past six matches by beating the Warriors and with Shaun Johnson in rare touch and a good draw heading towards the finals they are well placed to make a charge.
When the sides met back in round two it was the Raiders scraping home 12-10 as now departed Shark Chad Townsend endured a horror day with the boot landing just one from four.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Round 18 -
home Team
Raiders
9th Position
away Team
Sharks
8th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
The rundown
Team news
Raiders: Jack Wighton and Josh Papalii are named to back up after Origin III but the prop has been moved to the interchange an hour from kick-off in a swap with fellow veteran Sia Soliola who will start.
Matthew Timoko has been handed 18th man duties and Trey Mooney drops out on the final 17.
Prop Dunamis Lui suffered a calf strain against Manly on Thursday and is expected to miss two games.
Matt Frawley and Harley Smith-Shields were the two players to drop out 24 hours before kick-off.
The Raiders have defeated the Sharks in their past five clashes.
Sharks: Josh Hannay has stuck with the same 17 that knocked off the Warriors but switched Siosifa Talakai into the starting side and Briton Nikora back to the bench.
Royce Hunt is 18th man and Luke Metcalf is the match-day omission.
Matt Moylan remains sidelined with a calf injury so Braydon Trindall stays in the halves alongside Shaun Johnson.
Will Chambers is sidelined again as he quarantines after a trip to Victoria for the birth of his third child.
Royce Hunt (knee) is listed among the reserves as he nears a return.
Billy Magoulias and Andrew Fifita were the players to omitted 24 hours before kick-off.
The Sharks have won five of their past six games.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Round 18 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier SavageFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Semi ValemeiWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod CrokerCentre for Sharks is number 3 Connor Tracey
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Sam WilliamsHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Emre GulerProp for Sharks is number 8 Aiden Tolman
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh HodgsonHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Raiders is number 16 Iosia SoliolaProp for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Corey Harawira-Naera2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Hudson Young2nd Row for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Ryan SuttonLock for Sharks is number 13 Toby Rudolf
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiInterchange for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Mawene Hiroti
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Joseph TapineInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ryan JamesInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Reserves
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Matthew TimokoReserve for Sharks is number 19 Royce Hunt
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Xavier Savage v William Kennedy: The Raiders rookie impressed on debut in the upset win over Manly with 102 run metres, three kicks defused and a pivotal try save on Brad Parker. Savage's willingness to get involved will stand him in good stead against a quality opponent. Kennedy doesn't get a lot of press but he has compiled a solid statistical portfolio in stats such as line-break assists, tries and try assists thanks to a number of influential performances this season.
Stat attack
The Raiders will be looking to extend a five-game winning streak against the Sharks. Cronulla haven't beaten Canberra since winning home and away in 2018.
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