Raiders v Sharks: Canberra eye rebound; Staples to fullback
The Canberra Raiders are looking to bounce back from a tight loss as they prepare to host the Sharks on Saturday afternoon.
The match will be the first of a double-header at GIO Stadium, with the Raiders men to host Manly immediately after.
Canberra suffered their first loss of the season last week when they fell to the Knights 26-20. Darrin Borthwick's side was impressive in defence and came within two minutes of sending the match to golden point before Newcastle were awarded a penalty try.
The loss came on the back of a commanding victory over the Wests Tigers in Round 1 and the Raiders are eager to emulate that performance when the Sharks come to town.
Cronulla are sitting pretty in second on the ladder with two wins from two matches after a late Annessa Biddle try secured a two-point victory over the Eels last weekend.
The Sharks forward pack has laid the foundation for their impressive start, with Ellie Johnston setting the tone up front and adding to her impressive try-scoring record.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Round 3 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Apii NichollsFullback for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Madison BartlettWinger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Cheyelle Robins-RetiCentre for Sharks is number 1 Tiana Penitani
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Mackenzie WikiCentre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa Biddle
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Shakiah TungaiWinger for Sharks is number 14 Nakia Davis-Welsh
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Zahara TemaraFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Georgia Hannaway
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ashleigh QuinlanHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla Preston
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Tommaya Kelly-SinesProp for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté TemaraHooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Sophie HolymanProp for Sharks is number 10 Holli Wheeler
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Monalisa Soliola2nd Row for Sharks is number 3 Rhiannon Byers
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Hollie-Mae Dodd2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima TaufaLock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Emma BarnesInterchange for Sharks is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace KempInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Chloe Saunders
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Kerehitina MatuaInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Manilita Takapautolo
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Sereana NaitokatokaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Tegan Dymock
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Relna Wuruki-HoseaReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Leki Leilua
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Peter Gough
Last updated:
Team News
Raiders: The Raiders are 1-17 with no late changes. Prop Sophie Holyman is good to go despite suffering what was reported to be a biceps injury and watching on from the sidelines in a sling in the second half last week. Relna Wuruki-Hosea is the 18th person.
Sharks: Game day changes with Cassie Staples moving from the wing to fullback, allowing Nakia Davis-Welsh to take her place on the wing in her first game for the Sharks. Captain Tiana Penitani, who was listed in the No.1 jersey after Jada Taylor's ACL injury, will now start in her favoured centre role. In turn, Rhiannon Byers will shift back to the second row with Vanessa Foliaka reverting to the interchange. Emma Tonegato was trimmed from the extended squad on Friday and will need to wait a bit longer to return from a calf injury. Leki Leilua is the 18th person.
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won four from six at GIO Stadium.
- The Sharks are aiming for their fifth consecutive NRLW victory.
- Raiders winger Madison Bartlett has scored five tries in her past four games at GIO Stadium.
- Sharks prop Ellie Johnston has scored six tries in her past seven NRLW games.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Round 3 -
home Team
Raiders
7th Position
away Team
Sharks
1st Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
