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New Zealand Warriors 30
Canberra Raiders 8
The New Zealand Warriors have absolutely dominated the Canberra Raiders this evening as the Raiders recent horrors against the Warriors continue with a 22 point defeat in a game they struggled to get into from the outset.
Shaun Johnson continued his awesome form from the match against the Gold Coast Titans last week, helping the Warriors to their second straight win. He was backed up brilliantly by the likes of Sam Tomkins, Chad Townsend, Ryan Hoffman, Simon Mannering, Konrad Hurrell and Charlie Gubb who was fantastic off the interchange bench.
The Raiders only had about 40% possession and didn’t have more than a couple of real attacking opportunities all game. Blake Austin was probably their best on ground with Soliola looking strong at certain stages and Shannon Boyd fired to life in the last 20 trying to spark some life into the Raiders in the last 20.
The scoring was opening early in the piece with Bodene Thompson crashing over in the 11th minute off some Shaun Johnson magic. That was shortly after the Raiders had turned away an opportunity to take a penalty goal from in front.
The Raiders then scored their one and only try for the evening through Jack Wighton off a wonderful inside ball from Soliola. However following a penalty goal, the joy was short lived as they hardly looked liked cracking the Warriors line again all night. In fact they didn’t even get close to the Warriors line in what was one of the most one sided games in terms of possession and territory in recent memory.
Lolohea crashed over for the Warriors second try and then they kicked a penalty goal right on the stroke of half time. The set up for the Lolohea try came from an awesome bit of work from Konrad Hurrell who barrelled Jarrod Croker over.
The Warriors took a penalty goal right on the stroke of halftime and had an 8 point lead at the break.
Following the break it was more one sided traffic although the Raiders defenders didn’t help themselves with Shaun Johnson crashing over for the first try of the second half. A terrible bit of defensive work and a gap opened for Johnson to go straight through.
The Warriors continued to hit the line of the Raiders and Johnson then set Lolohea up for his second try of the evening with a nice grubber into the in goal. In saying that it was a lazy effort from Jack Wighton in clearing the danger as Lolohea stormed through.
Whilst tries were hard to come by after that and the Raiders started to even out possession they still never got close to the Warriors line.
In the last couple of minutes the Raiders were working it out of their own end and Sam Williams tries an audacious over the top ball, however Manu Vatuvei intercepted it running away to score after being denied one earlier in the game by the video referee.
In the end, a brilliant effort from the Warriors in what was a very hard night for the Raiders.
A tough road trip awaits the Canberra Raiders against the inconsistent New Zealand Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary of this match from 2:45pm (AEST).
Last week the Warriors had one of their better games of the season, with Shaun Johnson turning in a dominant display as they smashed the Gold Coast Titans.
However as has been the common trend with the Warriors in recent seasons, they have struggled to find consistency throughout the season and thus sit seventh, with seven wins and seven losses.
The Raiders were beaten by a single point against the North Queensland Cowboys last week in a thriller. Like the Warriors, Canberra have been inconsistent this season, able to pile on points when they are in the mood, but being comprehensively beaten on a number of occasions, including losing four from their last five.
The Warriors have made a raft of changes. Tuimoala Lolohea returns to the team, with Ken Maumalo making way for him on the wing. Sebastine Ikahihifo drops out, with Raymond Faitala-Mariner to the bench to accommodate Jacob Lillyman and Ryan Hoffman in the starting side. Albert Vete has also joined the bench.
The Raiders have named an unchanged side from their clash against the Cowboys, with mid-season signing from the Newcastle Knights Joseph Leilua 18th man.
This game promises to be exciting, featuring two of the most dynamic players in the comp in Shaun Johnson and Blake Austin. Austin has been in great form all year, while Johnson really hit his straps last week.
The Warriors hold the running overall between the two clubs, leading 17 games to 16, and the Raiders have only won one of the last five between the two clubs.
The two teams have also already faced off this year, in Round 2 at Canberra Stadium, when the Warriors won by 12 points.
Prediction
The Raiders struggle to beat the Warriors on the road and the Warriors looked in brilliant form last week. It’s hard to tip the Warriors, but at home they should be good enough in an entertaining game.
Warriors by 8.
Join The Roar for live coverage from 2:45pm (AEST) and don’t forget to comment if you’re following along with the action!