A clash of two of the NRLW's newcomers will close out the opening round of the season at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday.
Despite lacking experience compared to some of their rivals who have longer histories in the competition, both the Sharks and Raiders have some genuine stars on their roster.
The Sharks – who enter the NRLW this year after missing out on a foundation NRLW licence in 2018 – will take some confidence from a pre-season run which saw them beat the Wests Tigers 22-0.
All but eight of their 24-person squad have played in the NRLW previously at other clubs.
Scattered among their group which includes several emerging players, the Raiders have attracted some big-name representative players to the Nation's Capital.
Match: Sharks v Raiders
Round 1 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Raiders
7th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Sharks: A switch on Saturday saw Harata Butler come into the front row in place of Tegan Dymock, with Chloe Saunders added to the bench. There were no further changes an hour out from kick-off. Emma Tonegato will officially make her switch from fullback to five-eighth and will partner Tayla Preston in the halves. Holli Wheeler (knee) remains sidelined.
Raiders: No changes for the Green Machine, with seven debutants confirmed for their season opener led by England star Hollie-Mae Dodd and rugby sevens convert Cheyelle Robins-Reti. Robins-Reti will start in the centres alongside Mackenzie Wiki - the daughter of Raiders legend Ruben Wiki. The Raiders have plenty of experience in their spine with Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls in the No.1 jersey and Zahara Temara in the halves.
Match: Sharks v Raiders
Round 1 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada TaylorFullback for Raiders is number 1 Apii Nicholls
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Annessa BiddleWinger for Raiders is number 2 Madison Bartlett
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana PenitaniCentre for Raiders is number 3 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kiana TakairangiCentre for Raiders is number 4 Mackenzie Wiki
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Andie RobinsonWinger for Raiders is number 5 Shakiah Tungai
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Emma TonegatoFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Zahara Temara
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla PrestonHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Ashleigh Quinlan
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie JohnstonProp for Raiders is number 8 Tommaya Kelly-Sines
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy DoddHooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté Temara
-
Prop for Sharks is number 15 Harata ButlerProp for Raiders is number 10 Sophie Holyman
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Monalisa Soliola
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Hollie-Mae Dodd
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke AndersonLock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima Taufa
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Sereana NaitokatokaInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Emma Barnes
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Rhiannon ByersInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace Kemp
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Jazmon Tupou-WitchmanInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Kerehitina Matua
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Chloe SaundersInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Tara Reinke
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Cassie StaplesReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Elise Smith
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The average age of Cronulla's squad is 24.6 compared to Canberra's 23.8 while they edge the Raiders 159 to 107 in total NRLW appearances.
- Raiders co-captain Zahara Temara is the NRLW's leading points-scorer with 95.
- Raiders co-captain Simaima Taufa led the NRLW last year with most tackles (246) and decoy runs (44).
- Sharks halfback Tayla Preston averaged 317 kick metres per game in the NRLW last year - the best effort of any player in 2022.
