Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Semi-Final
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GIO Stadium will be the venue for a Saturday sudden-death semi-final as the minor premiers, the Canberra Raiders, fight to keep their season alive against the in-form Cronulla Sharks.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Canberra Raiders team news
The Raiders have not made any changes to the side that went down to the Broncos in one of the best rugby league clashes in recent memory on Sunday. But while Canberra got through the game physically, there will be doubts over whether they can rebound mentally from such a heartbreaking defeat, and the emotional toll it would have taken on them.
Squad: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Matt Nicholson 19. Danny Levi 20. Trey Mooney 21. Ethan Sanders 22. Chevy Stewart
Cronulla Sharks team news
The Sharks have not made any changes to their side after downing the Roosters. Craig Fitzgibbon could be set for a big boost with Tom Hazelton named on the extended bench as he eyes a return. Hazelton missed the elimination final win over the Roosters with a knee injury. He’s been restricted to just 12 games in 2025. The question would be who he would replace as both Oregon Kaufusi and Braden Hamlin-Uele were effective off the bench last week.
Squad: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3 Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Briton Nikora 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Thomas Hazelton 22. Hohepha Puru
Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks prediction
The Canberra Raiders are reeling from a heartbreaking 29-28 golden point loss to the Brisbane Broncos in their qualifying final, a punishing match that lasted 94 minutes and saw them surrender a 16-point lead in the final 15 minutes of regular time. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with three wins from their last five games.
The Cronulla Sharks produced a composed and professional 20-10 elimination final victory over the Sydney Roosters at home. They are in a rich vein of form at the business end of the season, having won four of their last five matches.
Key Stats:
- The Raiders have won only one of their last five finals games.
- The Sharks have won only one of their last six games at GIO Stadium.
- The Raiders have scored 24 points or more in their last eight games at GIO Stadium.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored six tries in eight finals games.
- Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange has scored six tries in his last four games.
Head-to-Head:
In their only meeting during the 2025 season (Round 5), the Raiders snatched a thrilling 24-20 victory in a see-sawing contest at GIO Stadium. This will be their eighth encounter in finals football, where the Sharks also hold a slender 4-3 lead.
The Raiders' home-ground advantage at a hostile GIO Stadium will be critical to their chances. The Sharks, in contrast, arrive in Canberra with confidence, momentum, and the benefit of an extra day of recovery. This game will likely be decided by whether Canberra's dynamic attack can overcome the psychological scars of last week against Cronulla's powerful, in-form, and relentless forward pack. The Raiders have defied the odds all season and we think they can win the battle and the “reward” of a trip to Melbourne for a grand final qualifier against the Melbourne Storm.
Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks tip: Canberra Raiders to win
