Raiders v Sharks: Borthwick backs his 17; First win beckons
The opening clash of Round 4 brings together two sides eager to bounce back from Round 3 defeats.
Canberra pushed the undefeated Roosters all the way before falling 22-18 in one of the games of the season, while Cronulla's momentum stalled when they suffered a surprise 24-18 loss to the Bulldogs.
With both teams sitting in the middle of a congested ladder, the result could prove significant in the race for the top four.
For the Raiders, there was plenty to like despite the defeat. Canberra controlled large portions of the contest against the Roosters and showed they have the physicality and defensive resilience to compete with the competition's best sides. Their aggressive style has troubled their opponents across the opening rounds.
Cronulla will arrive intent on rediscovering the form that made them one of the early-season benchmarks. The Sharks have shown they can control possession and dominate through the middle, but they will be keen to tighten their execution after allowing Canterbury to dictate key moments in Round 3. A fast start likely.
The battle between the forward packs may ultimately determine the outcome. Both sides rely heavily on generating momentum through the middle, and whichever team wins the yardage battle will place significant pressure on the opposition's defensive structures.
Expect a physical encounter that could be decided by the smallest of margins.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Round 4 -
home Team
Raiders
6th Position
away Team
Sharks
9th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Team News
Raiders: English international Hollie-Mae Dodd comes on to the interchange in the final squad update after overcoming a head knock that forced her out of last week's tight loss to the Roosters, while Charlotte Basham is also confirmed. Last week's debutant Ellie Brander drops out of the 17, but is retained as the replacement player.
Sharks: Najvada George will start the game at lock with Tegan Dymock moving to the bench. Maddison Higgins-Ashby has been named at centre and is set to retain that role after impressing in place of Tiana Penitani Gray last week. Rhiannon Byres remains the replacement player. It's been a winless start to the year but the Sharks have won all three games played against the Raiders.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Round 4 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sheridan GallagherFullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Elise SimpsonWinger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Leianne TufugaCentre for Sharks is number 3 Madison Higgins-Ashby
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Bobbi LawCentre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa Biddle
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Mackenzie WikiWinger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Krystal BlackwellFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Georgia Hannaway
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Zahara TemaraHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Chantay Kiria-Ratu
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Chloe SaundersProp 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 Caitlan Johnston-Green
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Jordyn Preston2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Manilita Takapautolo
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Charlotte Basham2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 China Polata
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima TaufaLock for Sharks is number 15 Najvada George
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Emma BarnesInterchange for Sharks is number 13 Tegan Dymock
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace KempInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Grace KukutaiInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Jaydika Tafua
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Hollie-Mae DoddInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Jacinta Carter
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 16 Ellie BranderReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Rhiannon Byers
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have averaged 27 points per game over the opening three rounds
- The Sharks have won all three matches against the Raiders
- Raiders winger Mackenzie Wiki has scored four tries in three games this season
- The Sharks have averaged 45 points per game in three wins at GIO Stadium
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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