Raiders v Sharks: Schneider named halfback; Mulitalo moves to centre
The Raiders start their season at home as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2021 while the new-look Sharks are out to spoil the party after also just missing the finals last year.
Canberra are without star recruit Jamal Fogarty and skipper Jarrod Croker while the Sharks are in a similar boat with Cam McInnes and Wade Graham sidelined.
The Friday twilight clash will also be the first in the NRL coaching career of new Sharks mentor Craig Fitzgibbon.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Raiders v Sharks
The rundown
Team news
Raiders: The Raiders are 1-17 with no late changes.
After debuting in round 11 last year against the Storm, Brad Schneider is back for his second NRL game, taking the halfback role in the absence of Jamal Fogarty (knee).
James Schiller debuts in the centres alongside Matt Timoko. Veteran centre Jarrod Croker will return via reserve grade.
Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has kept Xavier Savage out of the 17 and former Bulldog Adam Elliott makes his club debut from the bench.
In the 24-hour team submission, Matt Frawley replaced Ryan Sutton and Xavier Savage was the one other reserve retained in the squad.
Savage is 18th man and Frawley was cut an hour before kick-off.
Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. New coach Craig Fitzgibbon will miss the match after testing positive to COVID-19.
Ronaldo Mulitalo starts in the centres with recruit Matt Ikuvalu on the wing and Connor Tracey not in the squad.
Teig Wilton replaces injured skipper Wade Graham in the back row, recruit Dale Finucane captains the side from lock and Andrew Fifita earns a bench spot in his first NRL game since a horror throat injury ended his 2021 season.
Luke Metcalf is the 18th man.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Round 1 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick CotricWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 James SchillerCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew TimokoCentre for Sharks is number 4 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Semi ValemeiWinger for Sharks is number 5 Matt Ikuvalu
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Brad SchneiderHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'iProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh HodgsonHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Elliott WhiteheadLock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Aiden Tolman
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre GulerInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Adam ElliottInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey HorsburghInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew Fifita
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 23 Xavier SavageReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Luke Metcalf
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Josh Hodgson v Blayke Brailey: In two reshuffled playmaking line-ups, the continuity of the respective No.9s will be critical to start the year. Veteran Raider Hodgson is the more accomplished ball-player and is in his last year at the club while Brailey is now something of a leader in the Shire despite being just 23 still.
Stat attack
The Sharks were eighth for try-assists last year with 72 while the Raiders were 12th with 64, highlighting the fact each club needs to brush up on their creative ball-playing if they want to be a force in 2022.
