The Canberra Raiders have named their side for the 2022 season opener against the Cronulla Sharks on Friday night at GIO Stadium.
The biggest surprises of Ricky Stuart’s 17 is the shock selection of NRL debutant James Schiller in place of veteran Jarrod Croker.
Schiller has been named in the centres and is the nephew of former Raider Brett Mullins. The speedster impressed in the Raiders trial win over the Roosters earlier this year.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has won the race for the fullback spot with the man he was competing against, Xavier Savage, named as a reserve.
Matt Timoko will line up at the other centre with Nick Cotric and Semi Valemei on the wings. Outside back Seb Kris is unavailable for selection after being placed on the club’s COVID isolation list.
Due to the knee injury to Jamal Fogarty, Brad Schneider will start at halfback in his second NRL game and partner Jack Wighton in the halves who is playing his 200th NRL match for the Canberra Raiders.
The star front row pairing of Josh Papalii and Joe Tapine will start in the middle with Josh Hodgson at hooker.
Elliott Whitehead’s mooted shift to lock has come to fruition with the veteran named in the 13 jersey, while Hudson Young and Corey Harawira-Naera have been named in the second row.
Tom Starling, Emre Guler and Corey Horsburgh have been named on the bench along with Adam Elliott who will make his Raiders debut.
Ryan Sutton has been left out of the 17 and is on the reserves list along with Matt Frawley, Trey Mooney, Harry Rushton, Croker, Savage and Sam Williams.
Raiders and Sharks full team lists
| Raiders | Sharks | |
| Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad | 1 | William Kennedy |
| Nick Cotric | 2 | Sione Katoa |
| James Schiller | 3 | Jesse Ramien |
| Matt Timoko | 4 | Ronaldo Mulitalo |
| Semi Valemei | 5 | Matt Ikuvalu |
| Jack Wighton | 6 | Matt Moylan |
| Brad Schneider | 7 | Nicholas Hynes |
| Josh Papalii | 8 | Toby Rudolf |
| Josh Hodgson | 9 | Blayke Brailey |
| Joe Tapine | 10 | Braden Hamlin-Uele |
| Hudson Young | 11 | Briton Nikora |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 12 | Teig Wilton |
| Elliott Whitehead | 13 | Dale Finucane |
| BENCH | ||
| Tom Starling | 14 | Aiden Tolman |
| Emre Guler | 15 | Siosifa Talakai |
| Adam Elliott | 16 | Royce Hunt |
| Corey Horsburgh | 17 | Andrew Fifita |
| RESERVES | ||
| Ryan Sutton | 18 | Luke Metcalf |
| Matt Frawley | 19 | Jesse Colquhoun |
| Trey Mooney | 20 | Lachlan Miller |
| Harry Rushton | 21 | Jenson Taumoepeau |
| Jarrod Croker | 22 | Jayden Berrell |
| Xavier Savage | 23 | Jonaiah Lualua |
| Sam Williams | 24 | Thomas Hazelton |
Click here to buy tickets to the Raiders vs Sharks match at GIO Stadium on Friday 11 March, 6pm.
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