The Canberra Raiders will host the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium on Sunday 15 July. Both teams will be desperate for the competition points to force their way into the semi-final reckoning. Join us for live scores and commentary from 2:00pm AEST.
The Raiders have surged into final eight contention after consecutive wins over the St George-Illawarra Dragons and Melbourne Storm.
Don Furner’s men are now just two points off the eighth-placed Warriors, an unlikely position when you recall they were lapped 40-0 by the Tigers a little over a month ago.
What’s changed? Self-belief and Reece Robinson. The previously unheralded Raiders flyer has turned in some outstanding performances filling in for an injured Josh Dugan at fullback.
He has consistently bobbed up at second receiver and used his pace and guile to create gaps for his outside me to run into. Of the 11 tries scored by the Raiders in these last two wins, Robinson has been credited with an assist for three of them and scored four himself. His form has been so good people have been asking about his Origin eligibility. (NSW, for the record.)
For the Titans, they will be looking to avoid three straight losses after registering losses to the Dragons and the NZ Warriors. They are only four points out of the eight themselves, but will need to start stringing wins together if they are to challenge for a finals berth.
The Titans’ halves combination will hold the key to their chances. Scott Prince’s astute kicking game and passing ability are well documented. It’s when he combines these with darts at the line, as he has in recent weeks, that he can cause more havoc.
Prince’s halves partner Aidan Sezer is more than ten years his junior and is starting to impose himself on games in his rookie season.
In team news, the Raiders have named an unchanged side from the team that defeated the competition front-runners last start. Sam Mataora has been included on a five-man bench, but is likely to drop off.
Gold Coast have made several changes to the team that lost to the Warriors. Dominique Peyroux replaces the injured Beau Champion in the starting right centre spot, while Steve Michaels comes in for David Mead on the right wing. Luke Bailey and Nate Myles have both been named to return in the starting 13, but Myles remains doubtful.
The Titans’ other Origin players, Ashley Harrison and Greg Bird, are still out injured. Beau Falloon (ex-Souths) meanwhile has been named on a five-man bench, and will be looking to make his Titans debut and his first top grade appearance for almost two years.
The Raiders won the previous clash between these two teams at Skilled Park, but that was back in March and little should be read into this. If the Raiders, playing in front of their home fans, can continue their impressive recent form, they should be too strong for a Titans outfit that still struggles to post points consistently.
Prediction: Raiders by 14.
Will the pace and flair of the Raiders backline blow away their opponents to make it three wins on the trot for the first time this season or will the Titans keep their slim finals hopes alive with a grinding win in hostile territory?
Find out from 2:00pm AEST as we cover the action with live scores and commentary. If you’re watching or following along, feel free to leave a comment in the space below.
sean maguire
Guest
Ugly game of football. How Furner can keep his job is beyond me.
Junior
Roar Guru
I wouldn't doubt that the way they were coming home. Think the Titans just stopped playing to be honest. Would have been a massive shock if the Raiders got the points based on the balance of play.
Junior
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Titans 38, Raiders 26. GAME SUMMARY After a freakishly lucky start, the Raiders went in early and then put the cue away. Titans stepped up and rattled in five tries in the first half with both sides of the Raiders' defence exposed. That was effectively the game. The Titans' defence, apart from the final frantic minutes, was strong up the middle; really, one of the club's trademarks. Canberra in contrast were flat defensively, which allowed the Titans' outside men to cash in. Zillman had a cracker of a match with multiple line busts, two tries and lots of cleaning up at the back. The Titans are now level on points with the Raiders in the ladder and a late season charge could see them sneak into the eight. The Raiders seemed to have their head in the clouds for much of the match and played accordingly. Looked a totally different team to the one that beat the Dragons and Storm in previous weeks. Furner will have to get his men to lift dramatically if they are to threaten the Sharks away from home next week. That's it for now from Canberra Stadium. Time to put the kettle on and get the blanket over the knees. Hope you enjoyed the coverage.
Trent
Guest
5 more minutes raiders would of got em
Junior
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Titans 38, Raiders 26. Titans blew the Raiders away in the first half and did enough to hang on in the second. Raiders finished with a wet sail but very disappointing overall.
Junior
Roar Guru
80' Titans 38, Raiders 26. TRY Raiders. Joel Thompson this time. Another long range effort, this time down the left side. McCrone spread it wide to Thompson who stood up Idris. Found Lee on his left who drew the fullback and gave it back to Thompson who had stayed alive. Some respect in the score. Kick unsuccessful.
Junior
Roar Guru
78' Titans 38, Raiders 22. TRY Raiders. Robinson backs up inside a Ferguson burst down the right wing. More razzle-dazzle stuff. Needed this earlier but Titans look to have switched off. Scoreline not suggestive of the difference between the two teams.
Junior
Roar Guru
77' Titans 38, Raiders 16. TRY Raiders. Croker on end of WIlliams grubber after a sweeping attacking move more reminiscent of previous weeks. Converts his own try. Nice try but way too little way too late.
Junior
Roar Guru
75' Titans 38, Raiders 10. Aidan Sezer reportedly has broken his hand. Big loss for the Titans if he misses too much game time. Only real negative out of this game for the Titans.
Junior
Roar Guru
73' Titans 38, Raiders 10. TRY Titans. Zillman crosses over after a couple of inside balls set him on his way. Douglas popped the final pass but Zillman did all the work swerving and twisting through a staggered defensive line. Has to be close to man of the match. Prince converts from near enough to in front.
Junior
Roar Guru
71' Titans 32, Raiders 10. Ferguson intercept attempt fails and Titans will get another set 30m out. He was away there if it stuck.
Junior
Roar Guru
69' Titans 32, Raiders 10. TRY Raiders. Sam Williams stretches out and gets a try he deserves. One of few players in Green who hasn't stopped trying. Conversion goes over from Croker. A couple more here would make it respectable.
Junior
Roar Guru
68' Titans 32, Raiders 4. Penalty Raiders. Untidy tackle "past the horizontal". Raiders looking for a consolation with 12m on the clock.
Junior
Roar Guru
65' Titans 32, Raiders 4. Raiders looking like a rabble in attack. Almost like they've never played together at times. Confidence must be shot. Have to give credit to Titans though. Had everything to play for, playing away from home, couple of players out. They've really stuck to their task. Cartwright will be happy.
Junior
Roar Guru
63' Titans 32, Raiders 4. Raiders grubber picked up by Zillman who ignites another mini-bust. Idris dragged down 40m out. Looks like he's slowed down a little.
Junior
Roar Guru
61' Titans 32, Raiders 4. 40/20 from Williams. There's a positive.
Junior
Roar Guru
58' Titans 32, Raiders 4. Prince finds touch professionally. Raiders players playing for their places for next week. Need to show the jersey some respect. Need to show the fans that you care.
Junior
Roar Guru
57' Titans 32, Raiders 4. TRY Titans. O'Dwyer off a Prince face pass and pushes off a feeble Ferguson tackle to go over. Woeful effort really from the Raiders. Heads are down across the board. More than 20m left and Raiders have raised the white flag. Crowd has to be disappointed. Conversion misses. 2/7 for Prince.
Junior
Roar Guru
56' Titans 28, Raiders 4. Canberra ruled to have stripped the ball. Berrigan the culprit. Titans tap on half way. They just have to stand up here to win it seems.
Junior
Roar Guru
53' Titans 28, Raiders 4. TRY Titans. Falloon over from dummy half on debut for Titans. Beside the posts so Prince gets this one. Far too easy for the Titans there. Furner may as well have sent in his budgie to give the halftime address for all the effect it's had.