The Canberra Raiders will take on the New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium on Sunday in what shapes up as a mismatch if you look at the ladder
Join us from 2pm AEST for live scores, and have your say on the game in the comments section below.
The Raiders, despite playing admirably early last weekend, capitulated badly against a strong South Sydney side to lose comfortably.
Despite the whispers around key players, coach Ricky Stuart has elected to remain loyal with the 17 players that took the field last weekend for this game.
But realistically the Raiders aren’t playing for anything other than pride this season, which will make it tough against a Warriors side with it all ahead of them this season.
Sitting in ninth place, on equal points with the Broncos and the Cowboys, the Warriors will be sniffing around a finals spot for this season. Their form recently suggests that they are on the slide, with losses to an impressive Manly side capping off a disappointing effort against an undermanned Brisbane Broncos at home the week before.
But the 48-point shellacking of the Eels shows they still have plenty of attacking potential, and Sam Tomkins’ effort that day reveals there’s plenty there if the Warriors can set the platform.
This is a must-win game for them.
Ricky Stuart is nothing if not a competitor, and won’t let his Raiders side off easily if they underperform in the final weeks of the season.
As such, the Warriors can expect to be be punished if they think the Raiders are going to lie down. They will also be hurt by the withdrawal of Shaun Johnson, but the return of Feleti Mateo should help.
The Warriors are fairly short-priced favourites to win here, and we see no reason why they shouldn’t.
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Joel
Guest
What does Ricky Stuart and Analogue TV have in common? Both are obsolete and don't work.
DSF
Guest
When I think of the raiders I'm thinking 50pts now. Raiders need a big overhaul, get rid of the coach and all these has-beens and start poaching some of the best u20 talent or even some super league talent - bring back the once feared green machine.
DSF
Guest
lol, yes the obsession with player coaches is 50/50.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I believe he means great in the sense of very skilled, not great in the sense of accomplished. Campese had a really good run before injuries hit, he's a shell of himself now.
Clark
Guest
Warriors need to move in and secure Tui Lolohea, what a player he is. Since Carlos Tuimavavae (poor spelling) is off next season and Thomas Leulauai (again spelling) struggles with that groin on occasions, they need to keep him at the club.
Clark
Guest
Yawn, it's fashionable to say that about the Warriors. People said that about the Panthers too and they rolled the Bulldogs with a incredibly depleted team.
ianm
Guest
I'll take this version of the Warriors instead of the previous, play well against the top teams and narrowly lose then take a biblical shoeing off the cellar dwellars with only the annual win in Melbourne to look forward to, version. You're right about their finals prospects though...
Cadfael
Roar Guru
But neither Furner nor Henry carried the baggage the Stuart did.
Schuey
Guest
How does Ricky Stuart continue to get a gig? One of life's great mysteries.
turbodewd
Guest
Todd, all is forgiven, pls come back! We will legalize bubbling! Come baaaaaaaaaack!!!! Raiders need ya!
Kris
Guest
Still not convinced about the Warriors. They can't beat the top teams and they seem to only play at their damaging best against the cellar dweller teams. They'll scrape into the finals but they'll be knocked out in the first week.
TBAGZ 2770
Guest
Go the mighty warriors. Represent!
uPelican
Guest
Sticky' a bum.
parrafan
Guest
Don't you know it was all Ricky's hard work last year that got us in touching distance of the eight this year Andrew. I really hope we run up a cricket score against them next week and in round 26.
Myth Australia Contestant
Guest
Ricky is the king of spoons
Craig
Guest
Commiserations Raiders fans. I feel sick in the stomach for you guys, and that's coming from a Sharks fan.
Andrew
Guest
See you next week in Darwin Ricky (if you go that is). Thank you so much Raiders hierarchy for taking Ricky away from my Eels. Ricky should call Brad Arthur for some tips on coaching.
Jono
Guest
They Raiders also seemed to have suffered some serious injuries as well. Fensom went off early, no report on how long he'll be out. But they are reporting Shillington is gone for the year and so is Baptiste. Not confirmed but Campo might be as well, maybe this will force the retirement that so many think is necessary. All this probably means Cornish will return to at least the bench depending on Campo's injury. Maybe the Raiders will now push for an exemption to the second-tier cap and can test a few more players in the last few rounds.
Jono
Guest
The positive is that the Raiders look good against a team with only 12 players. They need to convince their opponents for the rest of the season to only play with 12 players, then maybe they'll have a chance to avoid the spoon. In Henry's first year at the Raiders they came 14th. Under Furner they came 13th. Neither coach was immediately punted and I hope the Raiders do the same for Stuart. Furner also had a 15th in his four years and coached for two more years (one of those they did reach the finals). There are a few players in the team that need to be move on before the Raiders should move on the coach in my opinion.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Our completion rate was actually higher than last week i.e. we actually managed one.