Two of the biggest forward packs in the league will face off this evening when the Penrith Panthers visit the Canberra Raiders at Canberra Stadium. Join us for live scores and updates from 5.30pm AEST
The overall record for the Raiders hasn’t been stellar in 2013, and coming into Round 14 the team is on eighth spot on the ladder, with an equal number of wins and losses.
Their recent form has been solid – three wins in the last five games – but their overall defence has let them down, giving up the fourth-most points over the season.
Penrith are even further down the ladder in tenth spot, but in all categories apart from wins (the category that matters, one could argue) they seem to outclass the Raiders.
Penrith have scored more points over the season (fifth-highest in NRL), conceded less and also have won three games in the last five rounds.
When these two teams clashed in Week 1 of the 2013 season, Penrith was the better side, scoring five tries to the Raiders’ two to win 32-10 in a convincing fashion.
The Panthers completed 83% of sets compared to the Raiders 68%, and outgained the Raiders by 420 metres.
Last week the Panthers lost a close game 20-18 to the Tigers, leading from the fifth minute and scoring three tries in the first half before getting shut out in the second to lose unexpectedly to the Tigers.
The Raiders faced the Broncos last round, and also started quickly, scoring three times in the opening half hour.
The second half was much the same as the Raiders never allowed the Broncos to get close, winning 30-18.
Both sides have been impacted by injuries – the Raiders lost Edrick Lee to a broken arm last week that will keep the winger (seven tries on the season) out for 8-12 weeks, while the Panthers’ Tim Grant (averaging over 140 metres a game) is out with a broken hand.
Join us at 5.30pm AEST for live commentary on The Roar for what should be a close one!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Canberra Raiders 24 – 12 Penrith Panthers 10 consecutive home victories for the Raiders, and they were deserved winners of this match, although if McCrone's lucky try hadn't happened and one or two other decisions went the Panthers way, it would've been much closer. Panthers MVP was obviously Simmons, two tries, solid in defence and gave them a whole bunch of chances. Raiders MVP was probably Reece Robinson, he was solid at the back and contributed in attack. Penrith will have a bye next week, while Canberra will match up against the Tigers. Thanks for joining us on the Roar! Stay with us for Sharks/Eels!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
80' Canberra Raiders 24 – 12 Penrith Panthers The Panthers have one last set to try and get another compensatory try.. a chip from John is recovered by Robinson, who chips for himself.... so close to a last-second try! He couldn't get it down! Fulltime!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
80' Canberra Raiders 24 – 12 Penrith Panthers Certainly a deserved try for Simmons. Moylan's kick - SUCCESSFUL!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
79' Canberra Raiders 24 – 10 Penrith Panthers Looks like a try for me, it hit Simmons in the chest and then he fell on it in goal. TRY!!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
79' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Whare puts a chip and chase for Simmons, who regathers and goes over for a TRY! Checking the video ref for a possible knock on.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
77' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers The Raiders bring it back down, gaining 61 metres on the set. Moylan gathers up the grubber kick and then earns a penalty for Vaughan's interference.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
76' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Not sure if he got it down, he was actually trying to put it down despite his arm being behind his back! Looks like he lost it - NO TRY!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
76' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Penalty against Raiders for the markers not being square, and a fresh set for the Panthers in a dangerous position. Segeyaro gets over! Video ref will have a look at it!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
76' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Brown powers his way over... HELD Up!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
74' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Kick from John bounces dangerously for Robinson, but it bounces off Ferguson for a Panthers scrum inside the 10.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
73' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Simmmons kicks infield for Manu... he's inside the goal but not able to gather it in as Robinson knocks it dead. Great work by Simmons to get a kick away!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
72' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers McCrone kicks towards Simmons, who takes the mark confidently. Kick towards Robinson, he's looked poor almost the whole time!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
71' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Milford kicks behind Robinson, and Earl chases him down in goal - line dropout!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
70' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Attempted offload by Robinson is intercepted by McCrone, and the Raiders quickly work their way downfield!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
69' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Wighton with a line break! Moylan gets him around the ankles, good tackle! Campese puts a chip over with Moylan absent but Robinson recovers.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
68' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Another good run by Simmons gaining metres up the sideline. Panthers now in an attacking position - Moylan kicks by Milford scoops it off the deck.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
68' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers You'd have to blame Robinson for that, he never attacked the ball and allowed Earl to take it. Looks like Earl didn't take it quite well enough though, and he'll be pegged for a knock on - NO TRY
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
67' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Try for the Raiders through Benson! What a play by Earl, flicking the ball back in field despite falling over the sideline, and then quick passes infield to put Benson through. Video ref having a look.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
66' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Lot of space for Simmons, but his pass back in field was taken by a back-tracking Campese! Simmons was almost away for his second.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
65' Canberra Raiders 24 – 6 Penrith Panthers Croker looks like he'll be out with a leg injury of some kind. Campese with another bomb, and Robinson is up to the task again.