The Brisbane Broncos will be on a high after Queensland’s Origin win on Wednesday, and they’ll take that confidence down to Canberra for a big Saturday Evening clash with the Raiders. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Raiders had a bad start to the season, but they’ve picked it up in recent times with four wins from their last seven starts.
They have the best attack in the NRL, leading the competition with 263 total points so far this season, and they’ve looked particularly potent in recent weeks. They’ll bring a very ordinary home record into this clash, and a win will go a long way towards their finals hopes in 2015.
The Broncos are sitting pretty in second place after the first Origin weekend, and they had a good Monday Night win over the Knights last weekend. They’ll welcome back a number of key players from the origin squad, and they’ll be looking good for a fifth road win of 2015.
The Raiders have made three changes to their squad for this match. Sam Williams returns to the side in favour of Mitch Cornish at half-back, Jack Wighton slots into the fullback position to replace Jordan Rapana, and Kyle O’Donnell comes onto the bench instead of Shannon Boyd.
The Broncos have numerous changes to their side, with Darius Boyd, Justin Hodges, Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett and Corey Parker all returning from Origin duty.
Lachlan Maranta and Jordan Kahu return to the wings, while Corey Oates, Jarrod Wallace, Adam Blair, David Stagg and Joe Ofahengaue all return to an extended bench.
This match will most likely be decided in the halves, as both sets have been in good form over recent weeks. Blake Austin may be the best five-eighth in the league so far this season, while Ben Hunt has been solid for the Broncos.
Prediction
Canberra have been in good form, but for some reason they can’t win at home. The Broncos have too much class coming back into the side, and they should get over the line.
Broncos by 10
Jono
Guest
It might be a cumulative rage from Ricky given he was not happy last week with the refs killing the Raiders' momentum, as he saw it, with what Archer during the week agreed was a wrong call.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
What's wrong might I ask?
Jinxed
Guest
Wrong!
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Looks like this year's flash in the pan is over, back to being bewildered when close to the line. It's better when they buck up near the end of the season, now it's just 3 months of meandering and a 14th place finsh.
Parrafan
Guest
That was bizarre. I thought Brisbane got the rub of the green but I don't think the Raiders were hard done by.
Parrafan
Guest
What was even worse, I clearly heard the touchy yell forward on two of those occasions but the refs didn't pick it up. A little consistency would be nice.
Jono
Guest
Yes, the Raiders lost and the Broncos won.
Jono
Guest
Ricky wasn't very happy. The press conference didn't even last 30 seconds before he walked out.
Adelle thomson
Guest
My team is the Canberra Raiders did my team win or lose
chris n
Guest
agree broncos were the better team but I counted up to 6 forward passes from the broncos much like last week in the broncos/ knights game the broncos were the better team and deserved to win but got away with 5 or 6 forward passes.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
The most amazing part about the 40th minute try was that they didn't check it. Robbed me of watching 27.5 different replays.
Manny
Guest
I'm not sure which was poorer, the Canberra edge defence or the refs...well, I do actually, it's the edge defence, but the refs weren't that flash either. While it did deny a try for the Raiders I'm glad the refs finally called a forward pass, which NRL refs seem not too often to bother with. This was what, the 5th game this year the Raiders were kept scoreless in the second half? It's a very poor stat and it sort of indicates they are in the area of the table they belong (10 - 14). Plus have they won a home game this year? I'm struggling to remember if they have. Maybe the Titan's game...can't remember where that was played. Still you have to be able to make your home ground a fortress to have any chance in the comp. Is it too soon to say, "it's all about 2016" yet?
Cameron
Roar Guru
Scintillating first half full of errors. Strong defensive second half by both sides but Broncos were definitely the better side tonight.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Broncos have gone to the top of the ladder with a 12-point victory over the Raiders. After leading by 4 points at half time, the Broncos only needed one more try to finish off Canberra, who have now lost three games in a row. Jack Reed, Lachlan Maranta, Jordan Kahu and Corey Oates all scored tries for the Broncos, while Blake Austin and Jarrad Kennedy got over the line for the Raiders. Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford controlled this game, and the Broncos left side attack looked dangerous all night. The Raiders still have some major defensive issues to work out, and their offence wasn't there to pick them up like usual. Thanks for joining me for this clash, I'll be heading over to the Cowboys v Sea Eagles Live Blog to bring you that game.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
78' Blake Austin goes for the miracle chip and chase, but Boyd slides in to take the kick on the full. The Broncos can just work the clock down now. Raiders 12 Broncos 24
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
77' Alex Glenn just about steps through the defensive line, before Hunt finds touch once again. Only two and a half minutes to go now. Raiders 12 Broncos 24
Kowalski
Roar Rookie
Thanks mate. Good to hear. Great job on your coverage too buddy. Top work
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
76' Hodgson with a good dart from dummy-half to get the Raiders inside Broncos' territory. Last play now, as Williams goes high with his kick. Vidot goes up strong to take that one, and the Broncos should be home. Raiders 12 Broncos 24
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
75' Ben Hunt finds touch 20 from the Raiders' line, so they'll have four minutes to try and score two converted tries. Raiders 12 Broncos 24
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
74' Not too much time left for the Raiders, but they've already had some unbelievable comebacks this season. They'll need a big effort to try and steal this one though. Raiders 12 Broncos 24