LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Is Albert Hopoate's spot in jeopardy? The Canberra Raiders' off-season signing Savelio Tamale seems to have punched his ticket to Las Vegas after an impressive showing in a tough night for the green machine during their pre-season clash against the Cronulla Sharks.
The Raiders came out firing, but couldn't maintain their momentum once the Sharks hit their stride midway through the first half.
Consistency on both sides of the field has been a recurring issue for Ricky Stuart's squad in 2024, and it seems to have carried over into the new season, even in this trial match.
Ultimately, the Sharks cruised to a dominant 40-10 victory, with Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall forming a strong partnership, while Sam Stonestreet's shaky performance likely won't see him pushing Ronaldo Mulitalo or Sione Katoa out of their starting spots anytime soon.
However, it's the Raiders who are left with more questions than answers after this match.
Will Hopoate be able to hold onto his position in the team, or will Tamale's standout performance put him in the hot seat? Only time will tell.