NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Sharks

Author: Brielle Sciacca
Timestamp: Thu 16 Mar 2023, 10:54 AM

The Toyota Forklift Raiders will face the Cronulla Sharks in their first home game of the season this Sunday night.

The Raiders are coming off the back of two losses in Queensland against the Cowboys and Dolphins and will be hoping to turn their luck around in round three with the home crowd behind them.

The Raiders have made just one change to the side as Ata Mariota suffered a broken hand in round two. Trey Mooney will replace Mariota for this weekend’s game.

The Sharks are coming off the back of a 30-26 win against the Parramatta Eels last week.

The Sharks have only had one change with Jack Williams coming on the bench replacing Connor Tracey who has moved to 18th man.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Sunday 19 Mar

Full Time

Raiders

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Albert Hopoate

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Harley Smith-Shields

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Raiders is number 20 James Schiller

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

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Raiders is number 17 Emre Guler

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Harawira-Naera

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Pasami Saulo

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Cameron McInnes
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce Hunt
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Trey Mooney

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Jack Williams

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 19 Matt Frawley

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Connor Tracey

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:11 PM

Last Time They Met

The Raiders have a great current record against the Sharks, with the Sharks unable to beat the Raiders since 2020.

In their last game, the Raiders got over the Sharks in a 30-10 win in round ten of 2022.

Key Match Ups

Hudson Young v Briton Nikora

The battle of the hard-hitting forwards, with both players known to leave it all on the field and make every hit personal.

Young and Nikora were both high try-scoring forwards in 2022 with Nikora scoring eight tries in the 24 games he played last year and already scoring his first for this season.

Meanwhile Young scored 14 tries in the 2022 season in 24 games as well.

Young has a great record in having scored a try in the last four games he has played against the Sharks.

It will be sure both Young and Nikora will make sure the crowd gets involved with each hard tackle or electrifying tries through the middle.

Jack Wighton v Matt Moylan

This matchup is one for the ages with both players having played a lot of successful representative football in previous years.

Both players will be looking to continue their strong form after playing well in the first two rounds of the 2023 season.

Wighton always looks dangerous anytime he is around the footy having already scored two tries this season and undoubtedly looking for more against the Sharks this weekend.

Meanwhile, Matt Moylan had two try assists along with a line break in last week’s win against the Eels, helping the Sharks get the edge over Parramatta.

These players will be looking to annihilate the other team through skill and control.

Matt Timoko v Jesse Ramien

The battle of the high-flying centres.

Matt Timoko is coming off the back of a standout season in 2022 where he had nine line breaks accompanying his nine tries in the 26 games he played in. He also averaged 109 meters a game last season.

Timoko will be coming up against Sharks centre Jesse Ramien who is known for his line-break abilities with 11 line-breaks last season and 10 tries for the 2022 season.

Both players are hard to keep down, always managing to break free out of tackles and run away for a try.

Timoko and Ramien will both be looking to get their respective first tries for the 2023 season this weekend.