NRL 2021: Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks, round 18 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 17 Jul 2021, 04:34 PM

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.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Saturday 17 Jul

Full Time

Raiders

Sharks

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Highlights Latest

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.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Saturday 17 Jul

Full Time

Raiders

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Semi Valemei

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Connor Tracey
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Sam Williams

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Emre Guler

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Aiden Tolman
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Raiders is number 16 Iosia Soliola

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Corey Harawira-Naera

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Ryan Sutton

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Toby Rudolf

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Interchange for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Mawene Hiroti
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Joseph Tapine

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ryan James

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves

Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Matthew Timoko

Reserve 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: 5/29/2023 4:40:56 AM

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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