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Canberra Raiders 44
Newcastle Knights 22
The Canberra Raiders were never behind in a game they have absolutely dominated at Hunter Stadium against the Newcastle Knights, winning by 22 points.
The Knights showed moments of brilliance, and looked like they might get themselves into the game. However their defence let them down at important times and they dropped the ball far to much making simple errors that allowed the Raiders to run away with the game.
The Raiders opened the scoring in the 5th minute with Edrick Lee scoring his first of two tries after a fantastic break from Blake Austin set up by Sam Willliams who ended the match with five try assists.
The Raiders continued to dominate proceedings and scored the second try of the match, again to Edrick Lee from a pinpoint accurate Sam Williams kick.
Jack Wighton was the next to score as they shifted their attack to the right, again with a ripper of a set up from Williams who held up the pass and created a gap in the Knights line.
The Knights were then able to work their way back into the game then with a pair of tries to Akuilla Uate and Joseph Leilua, both coming with brittle defence from the Raiders. It was looking good for the Knights but then a couple of errors including missing the sideline from a penalty allowed the Raiders to take over the match once more.
After defending strongly for a period of time, the final play of the first half sent the Raiders further into the lead as Josh Papalii crashed over.
At halftime it was Raiders 22 leading the Knights 10.
Coming out after half time the Knights looked like they had got their mojo back and the Raiders would have been concerned for a while there. The firs try of the first half came in the 47th minute to Sione Mata’Utai.
However again after that try the Raiders took back over command of the game as the halves combination of Austin and Williams dominated proceedings. Austin then scored a double within four minutes as the Knights defence crashed and burned from tiredness.
The Knights then snatched another try through Dane Gagai but the Raiders were never letting them back into the game as the Knights made a number of silly errors.
A try to Jarrod Croker finished the game off in style for the Raiders with just a couple of minutes to go.
Williams was by far the best on ground, aptly supported by Austin and Shillington who was fantastic.
For the Knights there wasn’t much to cheer about but Clydesdale was good out of dummy half and Beau Scott was good on the right edge. Uate however was probably their best player on ground.
In the end a dominating performance by the Raiders.
The Canberra Raiders will be desperate for a win when they travel north to play the equally desperate Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium. Join The Roar for live coverage and scores of this game from 2:45pm (AEST).
The Knights and Raiders have struggled for consistency this season, both with five wins and seven losses.
The Knights have not been able to find any fluency in attack and their defence is vulnerable. Last week they travelled to New Zealand and lost to the Warriors by four points in a close game that they really needed to win.
The Knights are not overly affected by Origin and so should win a lot of games in this period, but thus far they haven’t and don’t look like doing so either.
The Raiders have been awful in the last couple of weeks, losing three in a row. Last time out it was a loss to the Broncos and Ricky Stuart’s 29-second press conference. Like the Knights, the Raiders are not overly affected by Origin and need to pick up wins during this period.
In team news, Kurt Gidley returns for the Knights, slotting into halfback for the injured Tyrone Roberts, who joins Jarrod Mullen on the sidelines. Kade Snowden returns from injury, with Korbin Sims dropping back to the bench and Joseph Tapine dropping out of the side.
Meanwhile, the Raiders welcome back Jordan Rapana on the wing, which means Sisa Waqa will play in the centres. Jarrad Kennedy starts from the bench while Luke Bateman drops out of the side.
The key battle in this game looks to be between the back rows. Josh Papalii and Iosia Soliola have been in excellent form for the Raiders, helping their team to a handful of wins and being close to their best in losing performances. For the Knights Beau Scott will need an Origin-like performance, as will Tariq Sims.
Prediction
The Knights have really looked out of sorts in the last month and a half. The Raiders meanwhile were unlucky to lose to the Bulldogs a fortnight ago and coach Ricky Stuart would surely have put a rocket up them this week.
Expect a Blake Austin-inspired Raiders to romp home by plenty on the back of some exciting, free-flowing football.
Raiders by 18.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this game between the Raiders and Knights from 3pm (AEST) and be sure to leave your comments below.