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[VIDEO] Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs highlights: NRL live scores, blog

24th May, 2015
Kick-off: 4:00pm (AEST)
Venue: Canberra Stadium
TV: Live Nine Network
Betting: Raiders $1.67, Bulldogs $2.25
Overall record: Played 61, Bulldogs 35, Raiders 26
Last meeting: Round 15, 2014 – Bulldogs 22 - 14 Raiders at Canberra Stadium
Last five: Bulldogs 3, Raiders 2
Record at venue: Played 21, Raiders 12, Bulldogs 9
Referees: Ashley Klein, assistant Henry Perenara

Canberra Raiders
1 Jack Wighton, 2 Edrick Lee, 3 Jarrid Croker (c), 4 Sisa Waqa, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Blake Austin, 7 Mitch Cornish, 8 Paul Vaughan, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Frank-Paul Nuuausala, 11 Josh Papalii, 12 Iosia Soliola, 13 Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14 Kurt Baptiste, 15 Jarrad Kennedy, 16 David Shillington, 17 Shannon Boyd

Canterbury Bulldogs
1 Sam Perrett, 2 Curtis Rona, 3 Tim Lafai, 4 Chase Stanley, 5 Corey Thompson, 6 Josh Reynolds, 7 Moses Mbye, 8 Aiden Tolman, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 James Graham (c), 11 Frank Pritchard, 12 Tony Williams, 13 Greg Eastwood,
Interchange: 14 Sam Kasiano, 15 Tim Browne, 16 Lloyd Perrett, 17 Antonio Kaufusi, 19 Danny Fualalo, 22 Herman Ese'ese
Belmore said goodbye to local product Josh Reynolds on Sunday. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Charles Knight)
Expert
24th May, 2015
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Match Result:

Bulldogs 41
Raiders 34

The Canterbury Bulldogs have won the highest scoring game of the season so far against the Canberra Raiders by 7 points in the nation’s capital this afternoon.

If you like attacking rugby league then this was the game to watch. Neither team or coach however, will be happy with their performance as the game swung back and forth multiple times with try scoring far to easy.

The Bulldogs raced out of the gates early in the game and should never have been in a position to lose, leading 26 to nil after the first quarter of the game. During that period, the Bulldogs had a real team effort and the Raiders defence was just soft as Lichaa, Rona and Reynolds who scored a double all crashed over.

The moment that let the Raiders back into the game, was a penalty where the Bulldogs elected to take a shot at goal. It seemed to say the Bulldogs were happy with their lead.

Following the penalty goal the Raiders worked their way back into the game and were able to score 3 tries before half time to bring the lead back to within 10 points. The three tries came in a 9 minute period as Sisa Waqa, Shaun Fensom and then Josh Papalii scored right on the siren.

Following the half time break the intensity of both teams seemed to lift and the defences were more solid for a period of time before Blake Austin broke through and scored bring the Raiders right back to within striking distance.

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The sides then went tick for tack as in the next 6 minutes the Bulldogs scored a pair of tries to Pritchard and Thompson which was split up with a try to Mitch Cornish. Neither team was defending well and the Raiders goal line defence was almost non existent.

When Sisa Waqa crashed over in the 74th minute the Bulldogs were looking out of gas and ideas apart from running it hard and kicking it over the sideline, which arguably kept them in the game. Josh Reynolds the chief implementer of that kicking game.

The Raiders looked the team more likely to land a field goal, however Josh Hodgson miss counted the tackle count and ruined an opportunity for the Raider to kick a field goal by kicking over the sideline for a percentage play. From there the Bulldogs worked it to within 30 meters of the tryline but were near the sideline. Josh Reynolds then proceeded to pull of an incredible field goal.

With 40 seconds to go the Raiders tried a short kick off but it lead to another Bulldogs try which put the icing on the cake for the Bulldogs.

Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye were exceptional backed up by the likes of Frank Pritchard and Tony Williams, whilst Michael Lichaa was also good in dummy half. For the Raiders Blake Austin, Mitch Cornish and Sisa Qaqa were there best on ground.

In the end though, the Bulldogs win a very entertaining game of football that neither team will be happy with.

Match Preview:

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Two teams looking to come back from a loss last week in the Canberra Raiders and the Canterbury Bulldogs do battle at Canberra Stadium. Join The Roar for our live coverage from 3:45pm (AEST).

Despite last weekend’s loss against the St George Illawarra Dragons, the Raiders were coming off a three-match winning streak and have been playing some excellent football.

They currently sit in sixth position but such is the logjam of the table, with plenty of teams having the bye this round a loss could see them fall as far as 12th.

The Bulldogs have had a less-than-impressive start to their season, winning only one of their last six encounters since that controversial Good Friday clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Last week they suffered a 14-point loss to the Sydney Roosters and currently sit 14th on the ladder, desperate for victory.

In team news the Raiders are unchanged from last week.

The Bulldogs meanwhile lose Josh Morris, Trent Hodkinson, David Klemmer and Josh Jackson to Origin. This brings Chase Stanley and Tim Lafai, who is returning from injury, back into the side, with Moses Mbye shifting into the halves. Tony Williams comes into the second row with Lloyd Perrett, Antonio Kaufusi, Danny Fualalo and Herman Ese’ese on an extended bench.

If the Bulldogs are going to win this game they will need their fill-in players to have massive games against a Raiders outfit that is both in-form and unaffected by Origin.

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The key battle looks to be Blake Austin versus Josh Reynolds. Both five-eighths had a strong case but were snubbed for Origin, and will be keen to prove the selectors wrong.

Austin’s rhythm will not be affected by any players out for Origin, and he will want to shine after an ordinary showing against the Dragons last weekend.

Josh Reynolds meanwhile, has not been in great form, however had a decent game last weekend against the Roosters. Losing Hodkinson this week will mean he really needs to stand up and get his kicking game right, along with picking the right options in attack.

Prediction
Canberra have been playing fantastic football of late, and with the Dogs’ Origin toll, the Raiders should have enough to come over the top of them.

Raiders by 10.

Join The Roar from 3:45pm (AEST) for our live coverage, and don’t forget to leave your comments!

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