Ricky Stuart will take an unchanged side into round two against Cronulla for just the second time in his Raiders coaching career after sticking with the 17 who were far too good for the Wests Tigers on Sunday.
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Round one surprise inclusion Sebastian Kris retains his spot at left centre with captain Jarrod Croker still not right to return after offseason shoulder surgery, while Corey Horsburgh will need to prove his stripes in the NSW Cup after serving his one-match NRL-sanctioned suspension for drink-driving.
Not since his first year as Raiders coach in 2014 has Stuart had the luxury of naming the exact same side for the first two rounds. He used the same 17 in round two last year against the New Zealand Warriors, but tweaked the make up of his forward pack when Joe Tapine switched with Horsburgh from second row to lock.
Horsburgh now faces a hefty task to force his way back into Stuart's top 17 after the club's bench middle forwards starred in Sunday's 30-12 win over the Tigers.
Ryan Sutton, Sia Soliola and Ryan James combined for more than 300m while the latter scored a try in his first NRL match since 2019.
"It showed in the celebration what it means to us," back rower Elliott Whitehead said of James's first Raiders try.
"He's come in, he's going great, he's a great personality at the club, he's not only a great person on the field and at training but he's a really nice guy and a genuine family man."
James's effort validated the club's decision to sign him midway through last season, and capped off a strong preseason for the former Gold Coast man who was recovering from back-to-back knee surgeries.
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Meanwhile, Corey Harawira-Naera will serve the second week of his NRL-imposed two-match suspension this round, following his mid-range drink-driving indiscretion over the festive season.
He may also struggle to force his way straight back into Stuart's best 17 after a stellar performance from makeshift back rower Hudson Young who played 80 minutes on the right edge.
Young was arguably the Raiders' best on Sunday and scored a deserved try in the second half to cap off his efforts, going a long way to fill the gaping hole left by Englishman John Bateman in the offseason.
"He's not familiar with that position, he's only played there a few times. It paid off for him at the weekend, he's a good kid and wants to work hard and concentrate and hopefully keep that spot," Whitehead said. "He's a powerful kid, he's probably one of the strongest here at the club. [He's] dedicated to try and keep that position and if he keeps playing like he will."
Canberra Raiders v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Sunday March 21, 6.15pm, Kogarah Stadium
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Bailey Simonsson
3. Sebastian Kris
4. Curtis Scott
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Jack Wighton
7. George Williams
8. Josh Papalii
9. Josh Hodgson (C)
10. Dunamis Lui
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Joe Tapine
14. Siliva Havili
15. Ryan Sutton
16. Sia Soliola
17. Ryan James
18. Sam Williams
19. Tom Starling
20. Emre Guler
21. Harley Smith-Shields
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
