Canberra Raiders
24
Match Complete
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
19
| B. Schneider |  | 76 | ||
| H. Young |  | 75 | ||
| 72 |  | M. Moylan | ||
| 54 | | N. Hynes | ||
| 53 | | T. Wilton | ||
| 50 | | N. Hynes | ||
| 49 | | W. Kennedy | ||
| B. Schneider | | 39 | ||
| C. Nicoll-Klokstad | | 37 | ||
| 24 | | N. Hynes | ||
| 22 | | B. Brailey | ||
| B. Schneider | | 17 | ||
| S. Valemei | | 16 | ||
| B. Schneider | | 9 | ||
| J. Wighton | | 8 |
| 4 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 1 |
The Canberra Raiders are at home to the Cronulla Sharks in Round 1 of the 2022 NRL season tonight. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6pm AEDT.
With both sides having lived unfulfilled 2021 seasons, the Raiders and Sharks enter a new campaign with hopes high and serious claims on a top-eight spot come season’s end.
Ricky Stuart’s Canberra side enter their opening fixture of the season with some injury concerns and a club legend seemingly out of favour, while the Sharks have restocked impressively during the off-season and new coach Craig Fitzgibbon will be licking his lips at the opportunity to prove his credentials at the elite level.
Canberra enter their opening fixture of the season with immense pressure on Jack Wighton and their young and inexperienced back line, and will potentially rely on a proven and powerful pack led by Josh Papalii and Josh Hodgson.
James Schiller is a surprise selection at centre for the Raiders with Jarrod Croker on the extended bench having to force his way back into the team after knee surgery. English forward Ryan Sutton, who is set to ink a deal with Canterbury, was also selected in the reserves.
Xavier Savage has surprisingly been overlooked despite stellar trial form while ex-Bulldogs forward Adam Elliott will make his Raiders debut via the interchange.
Another centre, Sebastian Kris, is unavailable for selection list as he is on the club’s COVID isolation list. Brad Schneider will make his starting debut at halfback after Titans recruit Jamal Fogarty suffered a serious knee injury in the trial against Manly.
Jack Wighton will play his 200th NRL game for the Raiders.
With Connor Tracey (groin) ruled out for the Sharks, Ronaldo Mulitalo has been shifted into the centres with former Roosters speedster Matt Ikuvalu on the wing. Matt Moylan will make his first appearance for 2022 in the halves alongside new recruit Nicho Hynes.
Sharks fan will be extremely keen to see Nicholas Hynes and Dale Finucane in club colours: hoping that they add that little bit of starch and class to a team desperately in search of a return to finals footy.
This looks to be a compelling Round 1 match-up and the Sharks will be hopeful that Matt Moylan and Hynes will prove the difference. The Raiders may well play through the middle and look to dominate physically in the nation’s capital.
Prediction
The bookies are finding this a tough one to split and it is not hard to see why.
Two teams outside the eight in 2021 have grand sights on something very different this season.
The home ground advantage may well prove the difference in this fixture, with the Raiders forwards getting them over the line in what looks a tight battle on paper.
Game information
Venue: GIO Stadium
First ball: 6pm (AEDT)
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Betting: Raiders $1.95, Sharks $1.85 – odds via PlayUp
Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. James Schiller 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Semi Valemei 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Elliott Whitehead
Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Ryan Sutton 19. Matt Frawley 20. Trey Mooney 21. Harry Rushton 22. Jarrod Croker
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Ronaldo Mulitalo 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Royce Hunt 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Luke Metcalf 19. Jesse Colquhoun 20. Lachlan Miller 21. Jenson Taumoepeau 22. Jayden Berrell
The Barry
Roar Guru
I was keeping an eye on both the young blokes because they’re in my SuperCoach team I thought Schneider was good. He was a good second fiddle to Wighton. Tackled, kicked and distributed well Schiller didn’t get as many opportunities, particularly as he mostly played on the wing outside Valamei - who was good - but it looks like passing may not be his forte. Huge effort for the held up play… good to see
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Not sure you ever enjoy Raiders games - you always go through the emotional wringer. But great to be in a biggish crowd again. And nice to be on the winning side for a change. Desperate match saving tackle by the new blokes Schiller and Schneider topped it off. They didn't set the world on fire but they both looked they belonged out there.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
How good was his kick chase and tackle from his own kick. Hated it as a Sharks fan, loved it as a league fan.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Bugger. Raiders deserved that and Wighton was on a mission. In the 2nd half they were pinned down and being battered, he put in a huge kick then made the tackle. That's a great sign for Canberra. Plenty to like for fans of both sides, they each would've beaten Manly on that form I reckon. We really miss Wado but only round 1. Just quietly glad it's over after all the hype about Sharks being huge improvers. God I love March.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Haven't liked the look of either the Rabbitohs or Manly so far - they are my tip to make way for the Raiders and Sharks in the 8 by season end - but a long way to go
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good on you mate. Glad you enjoyed it… you must have been pretty edgy after the FG…
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Had me worried - plus about 14,000 Raiders supporters at the game!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Great game to watch - but not too good for the ticker - went right down to the wire which both these sides seem to make a habit - I reckon both will make the 8 this year
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I was there Baz and so many simple errors by the Raiders led to tries or chances for the Sharks - dropped balls to CNK and Valemei led to tries. Good tight game though - always is between the Raiders and Sharks it seems - can't remember the last time we had an easy win - both sides always have to fight hard. Some good signs though - Jack was great and Schneider did enough to suggest he can do a job - Starling was much more threatening than Hodgson. Thought CHN and Young looked good. Decent crowd too - 15,000 - it was like COVID never happened - hope I didn't catch anything!
andrew
Roar Rookie
I've ripped the Rabbitohs, but the way they're going........
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
2 out of 2 so far Andrew - Souths aren't looking too flash but
Tony
Roar Guru
Either that, or they've just had a spell in Cooma gaol
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good game despite both teams making some simple errors Raiders made it pretty hard for themselves Wighton was immense and dragged the Raiders over the line. Lots of errors from their forwards
Renegade
Roar Guru
What a game for round 1 of the season! Well done raiders, deserved the win. Lot of the fight from the sharkies as always, can’t win games with 40% possession though….plenty of improvement in the sharks and I trust we’ll see that as the season progresses. Again though, great game for round 1 :thumbup: Fantastic to have the footy back! :rugby:
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Be sure to stick with the Roar for all the action as the Rabbitohs and Broncos do battle in a few minutes, as well as the games to follow across the weekend. Canberra Raiders………………….24 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks……19
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the game and it is easy to see why we all missed rugby league so much during the off-season. Canberra Raiders………………….24 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks……19
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME What a superb game and thrilling finish. The Raiders have held on in the dying seconds to win, despite a desperate last ditch effort from the Sharks at GIO Stadium. Canberra Raiders......................24 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks......19
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Cool game, thanks boys
Stuart Thomas
Expert
NO-TRY, The Raiders have won it!!!!! Canberra Raiders......................24 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks......19
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good work bunker…