The Canberra Raiders are coming off a season defining win against Melbourne and must build on that performance today when they host the Newcastle Knights. Join us for live scores and commentary from 2.00pm AEST.
Canberra once again did the impossible when they defeated the Storm for the third consecutive time at AAMI Park last week.
It was a well-deserved victory against the reigning premiers and one coach David Furner would have been immensely proud of.
Now, the Raiders must back up last week’s effort with a strong showing at home against Newcastle today.
Canberra has won all its home matches thus far and should be favoured to fire against a Knights team coming off a golden point loss to the Sharks at home.
Consistency has often been the Raiders enemy over the past several seasons and it will be interesting to see if they can play at the same level they did against Melbourne.
Prediction
On their day, the Raiders rank as one of the most dangerous teams in the NRL as evidenced by their terrific showing against the Storm.
Attacking stars Blake Ferguson, Reece Robinson and Josh McCrone all played vital roles in tearing Melbourne’s defence apart, particularly down the edges.
Jack Wighton is another player the Knights will need to keep an eye on today, given the great strength he showed to muscle past Will Chambers en route to scoring last week.
Terry Campese is also slowly getting back to his best and will look to use his strong kicking game to pin the Knights deep in their own half.
Despite Canberra’s win last week, the Knights are certainly a chance of winning today.
The Raiders are often plagued by an inability to string wins together and may just get a rude shock if they fall behind early.
Darius Boyd, Kurt Gidley, Akuila Uate and Dane Gagai will make life difficult for Canberra if the hosts simply turn up expecting victory.
The absence of Jarred Mullen however may just rob Newcastle of the attacking organisation needed in the halves to hurt the Raiders today.
Just like they did against Melbourne last week, the Raiders will have to muscle up early and battle hard for field position against a strong Newcastle pack.
If the Raiders can do that, and play at the same level they did against Melbourne, their fifth win of the season should be secured.
Raiders by six.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Newcastle were behind on the scoreboard in the 2nd half...and there was not ONE attempt at a short kickoff. They didnt try to do anything different. B.Ferguson is a NSW starter - no question.
Tru Blu
Guest
Blake' green jersey is getting bluer every wk, as long as he keeps up his form it'll be an Origin Blue jersey soon enough.
Alan
Roar Guru
After a very slow start to the match when they trailed 14 nil, the Raiders looked below par. After Earl got the Raiders opening try on the board however, Canbera proceeded to destroy Newcastle by scoring 44 unanswered points against a helpless Knights outfit. Ferguson and Earl each got a hat-trick while Robinson got a double. Papalii was also superb setting up two tries. Campese aswell after a slow start dictated terms with his majestic kicking game infront of just over 10,000 fans. Are the Raiders back in premiership contention? Are Newcastle falling apart? Thanks for your company today and join us next time on The Roar Raiders 44 Knights 14
Matt
Guest
Unbelievable. 12-0 up in the first 10 minutes, to then lose 44-14... and that's with missing a ton of conversions.
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - After such a bright start, this afternoon has turned into a nightmare for Newcastle! They are shell shocked. The Bennett factor a non-factor today FULLTIME Raiders 44 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
Campese's opening two kicks of the game went out on the full! Since then, every football he has kicked has produced diamonds for Canberra. When he is on, His kicking game is unrivaled in my opinion. Maybe Cronk is better. CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL - Ferguson misses Raiders 44 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY RAIDERS - Its been an age since Newcastle completed a set of six in the second half. Millford has been outstanding aswell for Canberra. Campese with a cross field kick and Wighton regathers and scores!!! Raiders 44 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Gee Newcastle after leading 14 nil have absolutely been a wreck in defence. Canberra now win the penalty and are back on the attack and could hit 50 over the next few minutes! Raiders 40 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Ferguson converts well Raiders 40 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY RAIDERS - Picker scores and the Raiders might hit 40 here... What a turnaround Raiders 38 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
Agree Meesta. Give me Ferguson any day. He should be playing for the Blues. He has torn the opposition apart over the past few weeks. 74' - Canberra back on the attack. Campese with a bomb and its bounced off the chest of Uate and Picker regathers and scores! video referee
Zaccaaa
Guest
Fergo has scored like 36 points in 2 games?
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Raiders have scored 34 unanswered points after trailing by 14 nil. What a turnaround and Ferguson is away before he gets a poor pass away that is regathered by Newcastle Raiders 34 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Ferguson converts Raiders 34 Knights 14 Ferguson with three tries, Earl with a three tries, Robinson with two tries. Campese's kicking game superb in the second half. Raiders when they click are definite finals material
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY RAIDERS - Raiders have dominated this contest since scoring their opening try around the 20 minute mark. Campese with a great kick finds Ferguson who scores a hat-trick! Raiders 32 Knights 14
Meesta Cool
Guest
Newcastle defence is non existent on that left side, two things are standing out in this game, Ferguson must play for NSW and Gidley shouldn't!..
Alan
Roar Guru
Papalii also terrific in his return game, setting up two tries thus far in the match 68' - It is the Raiders now who hold the 14 point lead after trailing by 14 nil. Millford with another break. Campese with a kick and Uate is trapped in-goal and the Raiders secure another set! Raiders 28 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Ferguson converts Raiders 28 Knights 14 Robinson with a double today after a great showing last week. The Green Machine is working now after a slow start today!
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY RAIDERS - Papalii now is away before he finds Robinson who scores as easy as you like! Raiders 26 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
64' - Another knock on from Newcastle here and they are shooting themselves in the foot. Roberts with the loose ball. Canberra yet again start a set on the 40 metre mark Raiders 22 Knights 14