NRL teams: Canberra Raiders confident despite winless start as Trey Mooney replaces injured Ata Mariota for Cronulla Sharks clash

Just once in the past 13 years have the Raiders slumped to three-straight losses to start the season, and the undefeated Sharks threaten to see the feat repeated on Sunday at Canberra Stadium.

"The results have been a bit disappointing. We gave ourselves every opportunity to win but we're excited for what's coming," hooker Tom Starling said of the Raiders' form.

"We're happy with aspects of our game. We've done a review and how we can improve, but that energy is still high and we're confident in what we did out there."

Coach Ricky Stuart was not panicking either.

"We set a few good standards in areas of our game and we'll only improve. As long as the effort is there and the want to keep improving, we'll get there quickly," Stuart said.

"We've had very extreme conditions in both our games and the boys have handled it really well. They're a resilient bunch.

"We've just got to keep working hard, have confidence and believe in our game because we are playing good football - we could have been on four points but we're on none, so we've got to buckle down."

Starling has been one of the bright sparks in the team despite the defeats.

Coming off the bench working in rotation with fellow rake Danny Levi, Starling injects pace around the ruck and was actually used as an additional playmaker at lock against the Dolphins, nearly setting up a try in that stint.

"It's exciting bouncing off each other," Starling said. "We'll look to keep building that combination but also he's got us off to really good starts, so whatever role that I come on to, whether it's nine or lock, I'll just build off it."

While some Raiders supporters have expressed frustration at the side's lack of fluency and execution in attack, Starling assured fans that their best footy is coming.

"We're building something special here - we can feel it," he said.

"We've got things to improve on but we'll fix that up and we'll be ready to go on the weekend hopefully in front of a packed stadium."

For their clash with the Sharks the Raiders have been forced to turn to bruising forward Trey Mooney to replace young bench prop Ata Mariota who broke his hand in Redcliffe.

It will be Mooney's second NRL game after making his debut last season.

"I'm expecting an enthusiastic player in Trey," Stuart said. "He's a good trainer, very disciplined and this is the opportunity he's been waiting for.

"He hasn't put a foot wrong right throughout his pathways and this is an exciting moment for him because he's a passionate footy player from schoolboys to junior Australian representative level."

Meanwhile Josh Papali'i is out for another week with a calf issue but expected to return in round four.

"It's unfortunate for Ata, he was playing some really good footy," Starling said.

"I don't think he flagged his hand injury until after the game so he's a tough young kid. He's going to be a big loss but we've got someone there ready to go."

Corey Horsburgh was cleared to play despite his leg twisting awkwardly in a hip-drop tackle last week, and on the other side of the park the Sharks will be without Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes in the capital.

Even without Hynes though, the Raiders are expecting Cronulla to have plenty of firepower.

"They're a very attacking and very skillful side," Starling said. "They've got a very good spine that like to play some pretty expansive footy, so it's going to be an exciting challenge for us to take them on and also throw a bit back."

Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks - Sunday 6.15pm at Canberra Stadium

Canberra Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matt Timoko, 4. Harley Smith-Shields, 5. Albert Hopoate, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Pasami Saulo, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Joe Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Corey Harawira-Naera. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Trey Mooney, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Emre Guler. Reserves: 18. Zac Woolford, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. James Schiller, 21. Semi Valemei, 22. Peter Hola

Cronulla Sharks: 1. William Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Siosifa Talakai, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Braydon Trindall, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Cameron McInnes, 15. Royce Hunt, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Jack Williams. Reserves: 18. Connor Tracey, 19. Thomas Hazelton, 20. Mawene Hiroti, 21. Jayden Berrell, 22. Daniel Atkinson

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: