Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is set to turn to young half Kaeo Weekes as his side looks to return to form against the Sharks on Sunday.
Canberra were dealt a double blow in Brisbane last week, the team falling to the Broncos 34-10 and losing halfback Jamal Fogarty to a bicep injury.
The absence of the experienced playmaker will see Stuart place his faith in a youthful halves combination, with 22-year-old Weekes to start alongside 19-year-old Ethan Strange.
The Raiders will enjoy the comforts of a return to GIO Stadium, however their task does not get any easier with the table-topping Sharks coming to town.
Cronulla are riding high after a dominant 42-6 win over the Cowboys and they're set to get even better as they welcome back a host of injured stars.
Braden Hamlin-Uele received his first taste of NRL for the season on Sunday, with Dale Finucane and Royce Hunt in the frame to return from injury this weekend.
Winger Sione Katoa is available after serving his one-game suspension, however rookie Sam Stonestreet has staked his claim for the spot after an impressive debut on Sunday.
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Team News
Raiders: After losing out on a starting spot to Ethan Strange through the first seven weeks, Kaeo Weekes now gets the chance to partner him in the halves after being called in to replace the injured Jamal Fogarty (biceps). Simi Sasagi is named to start in the second row after being a late addition to the run-on side last week, while Chevy Stewart keeps the job at fullback. No late changes for the Raiders on Sunday.
Sharks: Toby Rudolf is a late exclusion with Tuku Hau Tapuha coming on to the bench as his replacement. There were no late changes on Sunday. Daniel Atkinson will partner Nicho Hynes in the halves, while Sione Katoa returns from suspension on the wing and bumps last week’s try-scoring rookie Sam Stonestreet out of the 17.
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Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won five of their past six games at GIO Stadium.
- The Sharks have scored 112 points in their past three games.
- The Raiders have beaten the Sharks in their past four games in Canberra.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Muiltalo has scored nine tries in 10 games against the Raiders.
- Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will reach the milestone of 500 games as NRL coach.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the