The Cronulla Sharks will hoping to make it six in a row when they take on the inconsistent Canberra Raiders at Canberra Stadium. Join us for live scores and commentary from 2.00pm AEST.
The Canberra Raiders are the Jekyll and Hyde of the NRL. One week they look unstoppable, the next unbackable. Which Canberra Raiders will turn up on Sunday?
Will it be the team that lacked determination and intensity last round against the Brisbane Broncos or the team that took the New Zealand Warriors to the cleaners in round six?
Injuries to key personal have not helped the Raiders this year and the season-ending injury sustained by star five-eighth Terry Campese against the Broncos will put plenty of pressure on replacement Sam Williams.
However, the return of defensive lynchpin Shaun Fensom should provide a timely boost to a Raiders forward pack that looked paper-thin when conceding 30 points against the Brisbane Broncos.
Rumours floating around in Canberra suggest star fullback Josh Dugan could make an early return against the Sharks.
His thrust and energy at fullback could provide the Raiders with the spark that will be lacking without Terry Campese running the show.
Who would have thought seven rounds into the competition that the Cronulla Sharks would be sitting third on the ladder?
The astute signings of forwards Bryce Gibbs and Ben Ross has beefed up the Sharks’ front row, while the acquisitions of playmakers Todd Carney and Jeff Robson has provided creativity previously lacking.
Carney in particular will be looking to continue the form that has seen him emerge as the main contender for the New South Wales five-eighth jersey.
A fine showing against one of his former clubs could prove to be decisive. The Raider’s will also have to keep an eye out for Cronulla backrower Jayson Bukuya who has hit a real peak of form with three tries in his last four.
If the Raiders can contain the likes of Bukuya and Carney while providing plenty of ball to their explosive backs, this match could be a high scoring explosive affair.
Can the Canberra Raiders thwart former player Todd Carney and stop the Cronulla Sharks from making it six in a row? Join us from 2.00pm AEST for live score updates and debate on our live blog, and be sure to give us your opinion in the space below if you are watching.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
FULL TIME RAIDERS 22 SHARKS 44 Cronulla have now made it six in a row and will fancy their chances of making it seven next Monday night against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. If Todd Carney and Jeff Robson can continue to run the show like they did today, who knows how far the Sharks can go this season. Canberra fans will be happy to see the return of Josh Dugan who looked threatening all afternoon but will be disappointed with not only their defensive structures but their inability to put pressure on the Sharks line. Canberra will have a great opportunity to bounce back from this heavy loss when they travel to Brookvale Oval next Sunday afternoon to face the Manly Sea Eagles. Another repeat performance like the one shown today could put a tremendous amount of pressure on David Furner who had high expectations this season. I hope you have enjoyed today's live commentary on the Roar between the Canberra Raiders and the Cronulla Sharks. Thanks for joining us!
Villa_B
Roar Guru
FULL TIME RAIDERS 22 SHARKS 44 80' CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL - Croker hits the ball well and it seems destined to go over before it hits the upright and drops short.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 22 Sharks 44 80' TRY CANBERRA - Robinson is awarded the try and Jarrod Croker now has a tough kick on the touchline to add the extras.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 18 Sharks 44 80' VIDEO REFEREE CANBERRA - Reece Robinson looks to have scored an unbelievable try. Josh Dugan looks to have overhit a grubber for Robinson and the ball looks set for the touchline before Robinson toes the ball forward to the in goal and plants the ball down.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 18 Sharks 44 77' No luck their for the Raiders from the resulting set. The ball is spread out wide to Blake Ferguson who tries to barge over in the corner. I think he didn't realise that their were three Cronulla defenders waiting for him and is promptly dumped over the touchline.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 18 Sharks 44 75' LINE DROPOUT CRONULLA - A deft kick finds Matthew Wright who can't beat several oncoming Raiders. Can the Raiders score the last try of the game?
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 18 Sharks 44 72' CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL- Carney extends the lead to 26 and I'm sure coach Shane Flanagan is happy considering their margin of victory is something quite rare.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 18 Sharks 42 70' PENALTY CRONULLA - Josh Papalli is deemed to have striped the ball and Cronulla are going to take the two points from directly in front.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 18 Sharks 42 70' The game has gone a little quiet scoring wise, but both teams are still shifting the ball around with offloading at a premium.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 18 Sharks 42. 67' Unbelievable, we have just gone through 4 sets without any points being scored. Just when I talk Cronulla make a break as Matthew Wright goes straight through after leaping for a bomb and evading onrushing defenders. It seems only a matter of time before Cronulla score again.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 18 Sharks 42 63' CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL - Another tough kick for Carney who has played himself into a New South Wales State of Origin jersey.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 18 Sharks 42 62' TRY CRONULLA - Great short side work by Paul Gallen and Wade Graham allows Colin Best to easily stroll over. Cronulla on fire today.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 18 Sharks 38 60' Just when you think the Raiders are gaining some momentum, an attempt at a 40/20 kick goes straight out on the full. Cronulla now have a full set 40m out from the Raiders line.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 18 Sharks 38 59' CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Croker adds the extra two as Canberra must now try and make this scoreline respectable.
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Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 16 Sharks 38 59' TRY CANBERRA - From the resulting penalty, Canberra make their way down field before a grubber by Sam Williams finds Josh Dugan who scores an easy try right next to the right hand post.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 12 Sharks 38 56' NO TRY - Todd Carney obstructs a Raiders defender and Canberra receive a penalty.
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Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 12 Sharks 38 56' VIDEO REFEREE - Andrew Fifita looks to have strolled over but we are going upstairs to look at a possible obstruction.
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Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 12 Sharks 38 53' CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL - Tough kick for Carney on the touchline. It's not going to matter anyway as Cronulla are destined to make it six wins in a row.
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Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 12 Sharks 38 52' TRY CRONULLA - A penalty early in the set allows Cronulla to take a tap 40 out from the Raiders line. They eventually spread the ball left to Colin Best who makes a semi-break before giving the ball to John Williams who dives over in the corner for his second.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Live Score Raiders 12 Sharks 34 51' CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Once again Todd Carney could have thrown the ball over for the two points.