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Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos: NRL live scores, blog

Roar Guru
9th June, 2014
Teams

Canberra Raiders
1 Anthony Milford
2 Reece Robinson
3 Jarrod Croker
4 Jack Wighton
5 Sami Sauiluma
6 Terry Campese (c)
7 Josh McCrone
8 David Shillington
9 Glen Buttriss
10 Brett White
11 Josh Papalii
12 Jarrad Kennedy
13 Shaun Fensom

Interchange
14 Mitch Cornish
15 Paul Vaughan
16 Dane Tilse
17 Shannon Boyd


Brisbane Broncos
1 Ben Barba
2 Daniel Vidot
3 Jack Reed
4 Justin Hodges (c)
5 Dale Copley
6 Josh Hoffman
7 Ben Hunt
8 Josh McGuire
9 Andrew McCullough
10 Corey Parker (c)
11 Alex Glenn
12 Sam Thaiday
13 Matt Gillett

Interchange
14 Todd Lowrie
15 Corey Oates
16 Ben Hannant
17 Jarrod Wallace
18 David Stagg
19 Lachlan Maranta

Two to be omitted


Kick-Off: 7pm AEST
Venue: GIO Stadium
Last Meeting: Raiders 30-18 Broncos
Head to Head: Raiders 19, Broncos 24
Betting: $2.50 Raiders, $1.53 Broncos
Anthony Milford (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renee McKay)
Roar Guru
9th June, 2014
166
7457 Reads

GAME SUMMARY

FULL-TIME Raiders 4 – Broncos 28

Comprehensive in the end for the Broncos. Two very different halves of football but the Broncos managed to win them both. The first was a real arm wrestle without a single penalty given, but Brisbane managed to win the battle for territory and capitalised with a couple of tries to in-form winger Dale Copley.

The second half was a much different affair – scrappy at times, tempers flaring and 11 penalties blown. It was played much more heavily in each side’s 20m and it was the Broncos who took their chances.

The Raiders did a lot of things right but they really lack that killer instinct in the opposition’s 20m. They got caught on the last tackle on more than one occasion, their short kicking game wasn’t all that accurate, and they generally failed to trouble the Broncos’ defence despite building up a fair bit of pressure from the 60 minute mark onwards.

Huge games from McGuire and Parker up front for the Broncos, and I thought Hunt and Hoffman controlled the game well on the back of that. Hunt in particular continued his strong form and, as we found out tonight, has been rewarded by being named in the Queensland Origin squad for Game 2. Jack Reed should also be singled out for his defensive effort on Jack Wighton tonight – Wighton is dangerous in attack but Reed had his number every time.

GAME PREVIEW

Two clubs facing plenty of off-field dramas – but with differing fortunes on the field – go head-to-head when the Canberra Raiders take on the Brisbane Broncos at GIO Stadium. Join us for score updates and debate on our live blog from 7pm.

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It’s been a tough old week for Raiders fans as they’ve watched their club try – and fail – to sign four top-line free agents.

Josh Mansour, Kevin Proctor and Michael Ennis all turned down big offers to head to the nation’s capital in 2015, before James Tedesco backflipped on a reported $1.9 million deal before the ink could even dry.

As the Raiders attempt to fight off a reputation as ‘a club no one wants go to’, the players already there have a chance to restore some pride with a big performance against the visiting Broncos.

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has stated there will be a clean-out of the current roster for 2015, and despite the struggling recruitment drive the players will still feel like they’re out there playing for their contracts.

Meanwhile, the Broncos face off-field turmoil of their own as the probe into possible salary cap breaches continues.

But while the NRL is yet to conclude its investigation, the spectre of lost points hanging over the heads of the players has not appeared to take its toll, as the Broncos recorded their third win on the trot in Round 12, romping home 36-12 over Manly.

Halfback Ben Hunt continues to prove a revelation for the club despite modest pre-season expectations, while Dale Copley had a breakout game last week deputising for Justin Hodges at centre. High-profile fullback Ben Barba, who has thus far struggled to live up to lofty expectations, showed some good touches too, setting up two tries

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Meanwhile, Origin representative Sam Thaiday will be looking for a big game as he pushes for a return to the Queensland squad in just his second game back from injury.

Copley pushes back to the wing to accommodate Hodges, with Lachlan Maranta making way. Other than that, the Broncos line up the same as last week.

For the Raiders, young playmaker Mitch Cornish will continue to be eased into first grade from the bench and will be hoping for increased minutes as becomes more comfortable.

Jack Wighton will be looking to push his claims for an Origin call-up, his form since moving back to right centre strong enough to see his name in the mix.

And, of course, all eyes will be on Raiders fullback Anthony Milford, who will move to the Broncos next season and will want a big performance against his both future side and his opposite number, Barba.

Which of these sides can best shake off their off-field dramas to post the points where it matters?

Call me crazy, but the home advantage, typically cold Canberra conditions and a sense of something to play for will be enough for the home side to cause an upset here.

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Raiders by 8.

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