Raiders look to bounce back whilst Sharks look to stay undefeated

Canberra Raiders (W) v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (W) Saturday 12:45pm at GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal

Saturday NRLW action returns to the ACT as the Canberra Raiders look to make amends for last weeks heartbreaking loss to the Knights as they host the Cronulla Sharks who are looking to keep their undefeated start going.

The Raiders once again started fast as they raced out to a 10-0 lead after just six minutes but they couldn't sustain their start as the Knights were able to hit back although the Raiders lead at the break. The second half was a good performance and it showed that the Green Machine can match it with the top teams and it was only at the end when the Knights got past Canberra in the dying minutes with a penalty try sealing the 26-20 defeat.

A second consecutive fast start will make Raiders coach Darrin Borthwick happy though it's concerning for Canberra that seven of their nine tries have come within the first 20 minutes of their first two games combined which will be worrying they can't keep the consistency. The lack of a full 70-minute performance is what could test them going forward.

The Raiders have named an unchanged line-up from last week that includes Shakiah Tungai who came into the side after Alanna Dummett missed last week with through the concussion protocols. Dummett is named in the extended squad.

Starting the season undefeated, it was far from smooth last week for the Cronulla Sharks as they were able to scrape home with a late converted try to snatch the victory from the Parramatta Eels 18-16.

The second straight win for the Sharks was a contrast to their dominant win over the Cowboys where they didn't concede a point, this one was a tough effort that was only sealed in the final five minutes when Tayla Preston was able to convert an Annessa Biddle try to seal the win. The win though didn't come without it's own issues for the Sharks with Jada Taylor suffering a season ending ACL injury.

With the injury to Jada Taylor, the Sharks have been forced into some positional changes with Tiana Penitani moved to the fullback role with Rhiannon Byers moving into the centres with Vanessa Foliaki coming onto the bench. Nakia Davis-Welsh has been named on the bench whilst Emma Tonegato could make her return named in the reserves.

Last meeting: Round 1 2023 - Sharks 28 Raiders 14

Who to watch:

There would be no other player more disappointed about last week's penalty try defeat for the Raiders than Apii Nicholls who gave away the penalty try when she grabbed Tamika Upton to give away what would decide the match. The NZ international will want to make sure that she can repay the home fans and her teams.

Moving to fullback, the Sharks will have experience at the back with Tiana Penitani though it becomes a different attacking threat for the Sharks without the speed of Jada Taylor at the back. The Sharks will need the experience of Penitani at the back to control what the Raiders do early in front of their home fans.

The favourite: The Raiders are slight favourites for the contest.

My tip:

It's hard to go past the Raiders at home, their starts have been strong in the past two weeks though they haven't kept it going for the whole 70 minutes but last week showed they can still match the sides. The Sharks performance wasn't as fluid as they would have liked against the Eels and that's a concern especially losing Jada Taylor. The Raiders should have enough at home. Raiders by 10.

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Madison Bartlett 3. Cheyelle Robins-Reti 4. Mackenzie Wiki 5. Shakiah Tungai 6. Zahara Temara 7. Ash Quinlan 8. Tommaya Kelly-Sines 9. Chante Temara 10. Sophie Holyman 11. Monalisa Soliola 12. Hollie Dodd 13. Simaima Taufa 14. Emma Barnes 15. Grace Kemp 16. Kerehitina Matua 17. Sereana Naitokatoka 18. Relna Wuruki-hosea 19. Alanna Dummett 20. Felice Quinlan 21. Georgia Willey 22. Jaida Faleono

1. Tiana Penitani 2. Cassie Staples 3. Rhiannon Byers 4. Annessa Biddle 5. Georgia Ravics 6. Georgia Hannaway 7. Tayla Preston 8. Ellie Johnston 9. Quincy Dodd 10. Holli Wheeler 11. Talei Holmes 12. Vanessa Foliaki 13. Brooke Anderson 14. Nakia Davis-Welsh 15. Chloe Saunders 16. Manilita Takapautolo 17. Tegan Dymock 18. Leki Leilua 19. Pia Tapsell

Referees: Kasey Badger; Sideline Officials: Dillian Wells, Billy Greatbatch; Video Referees: Peter Gough;