The Canberra Raiders will be looking to get their first win of the NRL season when they host the Cronulla Sharks in round 3.

Match details

• Who: Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks
• When: Sunday 19 March 6.15pm AEDT
• Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra
• Weather: min 13 max 35, chance of rain 5%
• Click here to buy tickets
• Head-to-head record: Played 79. Raiders 40 wins. Sharks 39 wins.

Raiders and Sharks team lists

The Raiders have made just the one change with the injured Ata Mariota replaced by Trey Mooney on the bench. Elliott Whitehead started at lock last week with Corey Harawira-Naera moving to the edge so that swap could happen again.

Cronulla are still without star halfback Nicho Hynes who remains sidelined with a calf injury. Jack Williams is back in the 17 with Connor Tracey dropping to the reserves list.

Season so far

Raiders 15^th | 32 points for | 39 points against | 0 wins & 2 losses

The Raiders came back empty from their Queensland trip to start the year and are now back at home and in need of a win.

Despite defeats to the Cowboys and Dolphins, Canberra showed plenty of grit in both games and if one or two things went their way, they could be 2-0 and full of confidence. Alas, they couldn’t quite get the job done when it mattered most, meaning Raiders fans had to endure yet another two heart-breaking losses.

Canberra’s attack hasn’t exactly fired to start the year, but they come up against a Sharks side that has leaked plenty of points lately, so it could be a chance to to get some momentum going.

Cronulla Sharks 10^th | 48 points for | 53 points against | 1 win & 1 loss

After finishing second on the ladder last year, the Sharks came into 2023 as one of the premiership fancies and have been solid so far with a loss to Souths followed up by a win against Parramatta.

Even without their Dally M superstar Nicho Hynes, Cronulla have still managed to score freely, but their defence would be a concern for coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

Dating back to last year’s straight sets finals exit, the Sharks have conceded 127 points in their last four matches which is nowhere near good enough to be a serious contender.

Key matchups

Jack Wighton vs Matt Moylan

Both of these guys are important pieces for their sides and could play a crucial role in deciding the outcome. Wighton has had a solid start to the year, scoring a try in both outings, while Moylan has amassed three try assists. Wighton has also been strong defensively like always, where as Moylan has been targeted by the opposition and will likely cop more attention from Canberra’s right edge.

Joe Tapine vs Dale Finucane

The middle battle is important in every game and these two are the leaders of their packs. Tapine has started strong this year, averaging 149 metres per game, however he has just 2 offloads and 2 tackle breaks so far, which are two areas he was so damaging in last year. Finucane is just doing what he’s done so well throughout his long career, averaging 142 metres per game and 38.5 tackles at a high efficiency.

Last 5 meetings and GIO Stadium history

• 2022 round 10: Sharks 10 – 30 Raiders at Suncorp Stadium
• 2022 round 1: Raiders 24 – 19 Sharks at GIO Stadium
• 2021 round 18: Raiders 34 – 18 Sharks at Cbus Super Stadium
• 2021 round 2: Sharks 10 – 12 Raiders at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
• 2020 Elimination Final: Raiders 32 – 20 Sharks at GIO Stadium

Canberra have won the last five encounters against the Sharks, including both matches last year.

The first clash last year was a thriller, with a late try to Hudson Young sealing the win for the Raiders, while their Magic Round victory was one of the gutsiest wins of the season.

The Raiders have won the last three encounters at GIO Stadium, however the Sharks won six straight in Canberra before that.

Pre match predictions

Serving Trey: Trey Mooney to serve up two offloads and a big hit coming off the bench. Raiders by 10.

Young talent time: Hudson Young to keep his four match streak going with another try against the Sharks. Raiders by 4. – Denholm Samaras

Have any predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.

Other match details

Gates open at 2pm.

Jersey Flegg – Raiders vs Sharks at 2.15pm.

NSW Cup – Raiders vs Newtown Jets at 4pm

The match will be broadcast live on Fox League channel 502 and is also available to stream on Kayo. Overseas fans can watch via Watch NRL.

You can listen to the match on Raiders on Mix (Mix106.3 FM), Radio 2CC (1206 AM) and ABC Grandstand (66