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The Canberra Raiders are seeking their first home victory of the season as they welcome the Melbourne Storm to GIO Stadium. Join The Roar from 1:50pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
Both sides will go into the match confident following double-digit wins last week.
The Raiders defeated the hapless Sea Eagles 29-16 in Albury, while the Storm were dominant at home in a 30-14 win over the Warriors. Yet, neither side has registered consecutive victories so far in 2015.
The Storm have a great record in Canberra winning in 11 of their past 13 visits. This time however, they will be without star fullback Billy Slater. Despite being named in the number 1 jersey on Tuesday, Slater is out for the next four weeks with a shoulder injury.
Craig Bellamy has been coy about who will take on the custodian’s role. Centre Kurt Mann could move to the backfield, or youngster Cameron Munster, who played one game in 2014, could receive a call up. The rest of the team remains unchanged from last week.
Ricky Stuart has also opted to stick with a winning formula, with just the one enforced change of Jeremy Hawkins in for the suspended Jordan Rapana. Sam Williams, who was highly impressive starting ahead of Mitchell Cornish last weekend, retains the halfback role.
Hawkins will have his work cut out against Mahe Fonua, who has scored a remarkable seven tries in his last three matches against the Raiders. Meanwhile, on the other wing Marika Koroibete has had a great start to his Storm career with 10 tries in 15 games. He comes up against a fellow Fijian flyer in the form of Melbourne’s leading try scorer in 2014 but now wearing green, Sisa Waqa.
Prediction
Despite the loss of Slater and the Raiders showing their potential in downing Manly last weekend, the Storm should edge it.
Their clinical finishing and high completion rate in their resounding victory over the Warriors was a performance that suggested they are returning to their best form.
Storm by 12.
In any case, it should be compelling viewing, so join The Roar from 1:50pm (AEST) to follow our live coverage, and remember to leave your comments as the game progresses.
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