Saturday, 3rd of October, 5:40 PM, NRL Finals Week 1, GIO Stadium, Canberra, Canberra Raiders versus Cronulla Sharks NRL Match Fixture

Game two of the finals sees the Raiders and Sharks meet again after playing each last week in the final round of the regular season. That game saw Canberra rest many key players but still come away with the points against an injury-ravaged Cronulla outfit. This match is an elimination final with no coming back for the loser. The Raiders will see the return of their star players so the Sharks are going to need to produce something special to advance through to week two.

The Canberra Raiders

Canberra Raiders 2020 squad list excluding above changes below;

 
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Semi Valemi 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Jordan Rapana 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Dunamis Lui 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine

Reserves: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Iosia Soliola 16. Hudson Young 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. Sam Williams 19. Kai O’Donnell 20. Michael Oldfield 21. Matthew Timoko

Coach: Ricky Stuart

The Cronulla Sharks

Cronulla Sharks 2020 squad list excluding above changes below;

 
1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Josh Dugan 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Connor Tracey 7. Chad Townsend 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf

Reserves: 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Andrew Fifita 17. Jack Williams 18. Teig Wilton 19. Braydon Trindall 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Bryson Goodwin

Coach: John Morris

LAST TIME THEY MET

The last time these two teams met the Raiders beat the Sharkies 38-28, Previously, in earlier years and most recent form, 42 matches played between the Raiders and the Sharks favouring the Sharks winning 23, all other statistics suggest Cronulla have a stronger attack whilst the Raiders have a better defense.

THE ERL PREDICTION

Canberra Raiders by 6