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6 hrs

Cronulla Sharks dominated the Raiders in the NRL Pre-season Challenge, highlighted by Addin Fonua-Blake`s impressive debut.

Cronulla Sharks showcased their dominance in the NRL Pre-season Challenge, overpowering the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium. This match served as the final pre-season encounter for both teams ahead of their Las Vegas season openers. New recruit Addin Fonua-Blake made an impressive debut, scoring a try and significantly contributing to the Sharks` commanding performance.

Nicho Hynes, despite injury concerns, effectively led the Sharks, forming a strong partnership with Braydon Trindall in the halves. The Sharks` forward pack, featuring Fonua-Blake, Cameron McInnes, and Briton Nikora, was particularly formidable, consistently overwhelming the Raiders` forwards.

On the other hand, the Raiders fielded a competitive lineup with Keao Weekes at fullback and Jamal Fogarty alongside Ethan Strange in the halves. However, they struggled to match the Sharks` intensity throughout the match. Despite a solid center pairing of Matthew Timoko and Sebastian Kris, and a strong forward contingent including Josh Papali`i and Hudson Young, the Raiders could not contain the relentless Sharks` attack.

Notable performances included Fonua-Blake and Hynes for the Sharks, while Weekes and Fogarty showed promise for the Raiders. However, the Raiders` overall performance was hindered by a lack of cohesion and rustiness as they prepare for the upcoming season.

For more details, check out the full match report and insights on Fonua-Blake`s debut.

#NRL,#CronullaSharks,#CanberraRaiders,#AddinFonuaBlake,#PreseasonChallenge