Round 3: Raiders v Sharks preview
Green Machine look to re-group after horror QLD road-trip
The Canberra Raiders will be looking to end their winless start to 2023 when they take on the Cronulla Sharks to close out the NRL's Multicultural Round.
Canberra have followed a similar script to what they utilised in 2022, and that is turn up for 40 minutes. It's unfortunately not a clique anymore, it's cold heart facts. There's times where this Canberra side look like a well-oiled machine, and then there is their second half capitulation against the Dolphins, where they let a 12-0 lead slip from their grasp to lose 20-14 in agonising fashion.
Looking ahead, they've got a good bounce back game against one of the competition heavyweights in the Cronulla Sharks. Watching last week, Canberra's middle needs to run with Joe Tapine. Tapine is carrying this Canberra pack on his back and it's time someone took the initiative to help with the forward load. In the backs, Seb Kris continues to showcase his skills at the back with another strong performance and with a Cronulla defensive unit that has conceded 53 points across their first two outings, there could be some exploiting of the defence.
On the team front, Josh Papali'i is still another week or two away from returning so Pasami Saulo again has a chance to step up. However, Ata Mariota isn't so lucky. The big forward broke his hand in the six point loss and is out for 6-8 weeks. Trey Mooney gets his chance to replace him on the bench. The rest of the side is unchanged.
For the Sharks, the attacking phase of their game isn't a big concern going forward. We know that they can produce points when presented with an opportunity especially granted the way they were able to toy with Parramatta's edges. However, their defence has left a lot to be desired in recent weeks.
As already mentioned they have conceded 53 points across their first two matches and combined with the 70 they conceded in both their finals fixtures, it's an obvious flaw in the Sharks game at the moment but there's simply no easy fix for. The only missing piece in this side at the moment is Nicho Hynes and he doesn't fix their defence. The reality is for the Sharks, they need to muscle up and commit in defence. The quicker they turn it around, the better chance they have of re-emerging come September.
On the team front, the big question hanging around the Cronulla precinct is when Nicho Hynes will return. The news out of Cronulla suggests he's likely to miss at least one more week with a calf injury so Braidon Trindall will again deputise for Nicho. Elsewhere, Jack Williams is to return following his nasty head knock in the first round taking the place of Connor Tracey.
Last meeting: Round 10 2022 - Sharks 10 Raiders 30
Who to watch: The focus for the Raiders needs to be front and centre on Joe Tapine. Tapine was the form forward of the competition last season and has begun 2023 in similar vein. Averaging 149 running metres and making 75 tackles across two matches, Tapine is approaching his peak and with the Raiders looking for win number 1 on the season, it's a safe bet that Tapine will be one of the big contributors.
Tasked with being the heir apparent to replace Wade Graham on the edge. Teig Wilton has enjoyed a solid start to the season. The 23 year old edge forward has played 80 minutes in the first two outings and has been a popular Supercoach pick up (get him in before price rises everyone). Wilton has run for over 100 metres and crossed the stripe in their home opener. However, he has missed 11 tackles across his two games, and although it was an improved defensive output against the Eels, Wilton will need to remain consistent if the Sharks hang on for victory.
Favourite: Cronulla come into this fixture as favourites following their victory last week. However, Canberra isn't a happy hunting ground for the Sharks in recent years with their last victory coming in the nation's capital in 2018, but enjoyed a strong record at the ground prior to 2019.
My tip: One of the more intriguing matches of the round this one. Both sides were semi-finalists last year, but it's easy to say they've been well off the pace in one or aspects of play to start the 2023 Telstra Premiership. Cronulla look likely to get their defence in order especially considering Canberra's fadeouts in recent times, but it's a match that can easily go either way. Cronulla by 4.
