Matchday Details
Sunday, 29 March 2026 – 4:05pm AEDT – GIO Stadium, Canberra
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Grant Atkins | Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Canberra Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Simi Sasagi, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Ethan Strange, 7. Ethan Sanders, 8. Morgan Smithies, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine (c), 11. Hudson Young, 12. Noah Martin, 13. Corey Horsburgh, 14. Jayden Brailey, 15. Zac Hosking, 16. Ata Mariota, 17. Joe Roddy, 18. Daine Laurie, 19. Matthew Timoko, 20. Owen Pattie, 21. Jed Stuart, 22. Chevy Stewart
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
1. William Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. KL Iro, 5. Samuel Stonestreet, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Nicholas Hynes, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Blayke Brailey (c), 10. Thomas Hazelton, 11. Billy Burns, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Jesse Colquhoun, 14. Siosifa Talakai, 15. Toby Rudolf, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Braden Uele, 18. Hohepa Puru, 19. Chris Vea’ila, 20. Jayden Berrell, 21. Tuku Hau Tapuha, 22. Mawene Hiroti
Match Preview
The 14th-placed Raiders and 10th-placed Sharks meet for the first time since last year’s semi final showdown in the nation’s capital, where Cronulla officially ended Canberra’s minor premiership-winning campaign. Whilst it’s early days in the season, the Raiders and Sharks have some history and something to settle on the field.
Both these teams have had mixed form to start the 2026 season, posting a 1-2 record after three matches. Last round the Sharks’ eight-game home winning streak came to an abrupt end after losing 38-10 to the Dolphins, while the Raiders’ first home game of the season ended in a frustrating 14-10 loss to the Bulldogs. The Sharks will want to quickly right the wrongs of last week, whilst the Raiders won’t want to give the home fans back-to-back losses in Canberra.
In team news, the big out for the Raiders is veteran prop Josh Papalii serving a one-match ban for a high tackle. This is bad timing after Papalii missed a match the game before after being placed in concussion protocols. Morgan Smithies will take his spot in the starting front row, freeing up a bench spot for young forward Joe Roddy, who has big wraps on him coming through the grades.
The major out for the Sharks side is back rower Briton Nikora missing time with a broken nose. His spot is replaced by Teig Wilton, who did return last week from the bench, but this week has a spot back in the run-on side. We will see who plays on the Nikora right edge for the Sharks as Wilton and Billy Burns traditionally play on the left edge. My educated guess is it will be Burns. Braden Uele takes the vacant bench spot and will be looking to challenge front row main stayers Addin Fonua-Blake and Tom Hazelton for a starting role.
The key message for the Raiders this week will be discipline. The new Six Again rules have really taken a toll on the Raiders through the first three matches, giving up territory and possession, ultimately resulting in fatigue and chasing games. The Raiders have voiced their frustrations about consistency from first half rulings to second half rulings. Whilst they might think have a valid case, they are certainly guilty of being one of the most ill-disciplined sides so far this season.
For the Sharks their key message this week will be completions. Sloppy errors and lack of execution cost them dearly last week against the Dolphins. Usually a well-organised side, especially at home, they looked a shell of themselves. Whilst the completion rate wasn’t as bad against the Dolphins as it was against Penrith the week before, they still looked like they weren’t “pushing the right buttons” at the right moments and losing concentration on defence. The balance between high percentage plays, being conservative, and pushing the envelope is an art the elite teams master. The Sharks have proven they are elite with deep runs most seasons in recent times. This week is a great opportunity for them to rediscover this.
The Sharks have won four of their last five against the Raiders, putting themselves into bogey team territory for the men in green. One of Canberra’s key men in breaking this streak plays his 50th NRL game – Ethan Strange. What an impact he has made in such a short amount of time. Hopefully the Raiders can get some drier weather at home after three weeks of terrible conditions in a row.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Sharks by 2 points.
Bold call: The Sharks to win this in a tight contest. This feels like a coin flip as long as both teams play to their sky high potentials.
Related
- NRL Round 4 2026 Predictions & Tips
- NRL Round 4 Team Lists – 2026 Season
- NRL 2026 Results Tracker
- 2026 NRL Match Review Results Tracker: Charges, Suspensions & Fines
- NRL Injury List 2026
