Sharks v Raiders: Iro returns; Sasagi ruled out
The Sharks are looking to get their top-four quest back on track when they host the desperate Raiders on Saturday afternoon.
Cronulla suffered a shock loss to local rivals St George Illawarra last weekend and their grip on fourth spot has loosened considerably as a result.
The Sharks now sit above the Dolphins on for and against alone and need to rebound this week to avoid slipping to fifth on the ladder.
Standing in their way on Saturday is a Canberra side that must win their final three games and hope other results go their way to have any chance of sneaking into the finals.
The Raiders pushed Newcastle all the way last weekend before ultimately falling by six points.
Canberra have shown they can match it with the top teams of the competition, with Ethan Strange and Ethan Sanders' halves combination flourishing in the past couple of months.
Match: Sharks v Raiders
Round 24 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Raiders
12th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Sharks: The loss of prop Addin Fonua-Blake to suspension brings Oregon Kaufusi into the starting side while KL Iro is back from concussion to fill the hole left by Jesse Ramien (pectoral). The six-man interchange includes Siosifa Talakai returning from a biceps injury and Michael Gabrael chasing an NRL debut after being an unused reserve last week.
Raiders: A number of changes for Ricky Stuart with Simi Sasagi being rested ahead of end-of-season shoulder surgery and Corey Horsburgh also out. Savelio Tamale comes in at centre and Ata Mariota moves to prop with Matty Nicholson joining the starting side in the back row. Seb Kris and Venasiotangifetaua Patuki Case have been added to the six-man bench.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Raiders is number 2 Jed Stuart
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Mawene HirotiCentre for Raiders is number 3 Savelio Tamale
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL IroCentre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho HynesHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Oregon KaufusiProp for Raiders is number 8 Ata Mariota
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Raiders is number 9 Owen Pattie
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Jesse ColquhounProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Zac Hosking
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Matty Nicholson
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Hohepa PuruInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy BurnsInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Joe Roddy
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Josh Papalii
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Daine Laurie
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Michael GabraelInterchange for Raiders is number 18 Vena Patuki-Case
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Braden UeleInterchange for Raiders is number 19 Sebastian Kris
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Niwhai PuruReserve for Raiders is number 20 Coby Black
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Samuel StonestreetReserve for Raiders is number 21 Sione Finau
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Tuku Hau TapuhaReserve for Raiders is number 22 Jordan Uta
Sharks Ins
- KL Iro
- Niwhai Puru
- Samuel Stonestreet
- Siosifa Talakai
- Tuku Hau Tapuha
Raiders Ins
- Coby Black
- Jordan Uta
- Sebastian Kris
- Sione Finau
- Vena Patuki-Case
Sharks Outs
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Jesse Ramien
Raiders Ins
- Corey Horsburgh
- Simi Sasagi
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won five of their past six games against the Raiders.
- The Raiders have not won at Ocean Protect Stadium since 2019.
- The Sharks have won seven from eight at Ocean Protect Stadium this season.
- Raiders winger Jed Stuart has scored four tries in his last four games.
- Sharks winger Sione Katoa has scored six tries in his last six games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
