Canberra Raiders 44
Newcastle Knights 22
The Canberra Raiders were never behind in a game they have absolutely dominated at Hunter Stadium against the Newcastle Knights, winning by 22 points.
The Knights showed moments of brilliance, and looked like they might get themselves into the game. However their defence let them down at important times and they dropped the ball far to much making simple errors that allowed the Raiders to run away with the game.
The Raiders opened the scoring in the 5th minute with Edrick Lee scoring his first of two tries after a fantastic break from Blake Austin set up by Sam Willliams who ended the match with five try assists.
The Raiders continued to dominate proceedings and scored the second try of the match, again to Edrick Lee from a pinpoint accurate Sam Williams kick.
Jack Wighton was the next to score as they shifted their attack to the right, again with a ripper of a set up from Williams who held up the pass and created a gap in the Knights line.
The Knights were then able to work their way back into the game then with a pair of tries to Akuilla Uate and Joseph Leilua, both coming with brittle defence from the Raiders. It was looking good for the Knights but then a couple of errors including missing the sideline from a penalty allowed the Raiders to take over the match once more.
After defending strongly for a period of time, the final play of the first half sent the Raiders further into the lead as Josh Papalii crashed over.
At halftime it was Raiders 22 leading the Knights 10.
Coming out after half time the Knights looked like they had got their mojo back and the Raiders would have been concerned for a while there. The firs try of the first half came in the 47th minute to Sione Mata’Utai.
However again after that try the Raiders took back over command of the game as the halves combination of Austin and Williams dominated proceedings. Austin then scored a double within four minutes as the Knights defence crashed and burned from tiredness.
The Knights then snatched another try through Dane Gagai but the Raiders were never letting them back into the game as the Knights made a number of silly errors.
A try to Jarrod Croker finished the game off in style for the Raiders with just a couple of minutes to go.
Williams was by far the best on ground, aptly supported by Austin and Shillington who was fantastic.
For the Knights there wasn’t much to cheer about but Clydesdale was good out of dummy half and Beau Scott was good on the right edge. Uate however was probably their best player on ground.
In the end a dominating performance by the Raiders.
The Canberra Raiders will be desperate for a win when they travel north to play the equally desperate Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium. Join The Roar for live coverage and scores of this game from 2:45pm (AEST).
The Knights and Raiders have struggled for consistency this season, both with five wins and seven losses.
The Knights have not been able to find any fluency in attack and their defence is vulnerable. Last week they travelled to New Zealand and lost to the Warriors by four points in a close game that they really needed to win.
The Knights are not overly affected by Origin and so should win a lot of games in this period, but thus far they haven’t and don’t look like doing so either.
The Raiders have been awful in the last couple of weeks, losing three in a row. Last time out it was a loss to the Broncos and Ricky Stuart’s 29-second press conference. Like the Knights, the Raiders are not overly affected by Origin and need to pick up wins during this period.
In team news, Kurt Gidley returns for the Knights, slotting into halfback for the injured Tyrone Roberts, who joins Jarrod Mullen on the sidelines. Kade Snowden returns from injury, with Korbin Sims dropping back to the bench and Joseph Tapine dropping out of the side.
Meanwhile, the Raiders welcome back Jordan Rapana on the wing, which means Sisa Waqa will play in the centres. Jarrad Kennedy starts from the bench while Luke Bateman drops out of the side.
The key battle in this game looks to be between the back rows. Josh Papalii and Iosia Soliola have been in excellent form for the Raiders, helping their team to a handful of wins and being close to their best in losing performances. For the Knights Beau Scott will need an Origin-like performance, as will Tariq Sims.
Prediction
The Knights have really looked out of sorts in the last month and a half. The Raiders meanwhile were unlucky to lose to the Bulldogs a fortnight ago and coach Ricky Stuart would surely have put a rocket up them this week.
Expect a Blake Austin-inspired Raiders to romp home by plenty on the back of some exciting, free-flowing football.
Raiders by 18.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this game between the Raiders and Knights from 3pm (AEST) and be sure to leave your comments below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thankyou for joining me here today on the Roar for our live coverage of this clash between the Canberra Raiders and the Newcastle Knights in what was a very one sided game and dominating performance by the Raiders. I hope you enjoyed the coverage! Remember to stick around here on the Roar with plenty of live sport this evening, including another two rugby league games. That's all from me in terms of Rugby League this weekend however i'll have stage one of the Criterium Du Dauphine in cycling tomorrow night. Otherwise i'll be back next weekend for more Rugby League action. Enjoy the rest of your evening!
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME: Canberra Raiders 44 Newcastle Knights 22 The Canberra Raiders were never behind in a game they have absolutely dominated at Hunter Stadium against the Newcastle Knights, winning by 22 points. The Knights showed moments of brilliance, and looked like they might get themselves into the game. However their defence let them down at important times and they dropped the ball far to much making simple errors that allowed the Raiders to run away with the game. The Raiders opened the scoring in the 5th minute with Edrick Lee scoring his first of two tries after a fantastic break from Blake Austin set up by Sam Willliams who ended the match with five try assists. The Raiders continued to dominate proceedings and scored the second try of the match, again to Edrick Lee from a pinpoint accurate Sam Williams kick. Jack Wighton was the next to score as they shifted their attack to the right, again with a ripper of a set up from Williams who held up the pass and created a gap in the Knights line. The Knights were then able to work their way back into the game then with a pair of tries to Akuilla Uate and Joseph Leilua, both coming with brittle defence from the Raiders. It was looking good for the Knights but then a couple of errors including missing the sideline from a penalty allowed the Raiders to take over the match once more. After defending strongly for a period of time, the final play of the first half sent the Raiders further into the lead as Josh Papalii crashed over. At halftime it was Raiders 22 leading the Knights 10. Coming out after half time the Knights looked like they had got their mojo back and the Raiders would have been concerned for a while there. The firs try of the first half came in the 47th minute to Sione Mata'Utai. However again after that try the Raiders took back over command of the game as the halves combination of Austin and Williams dominated proceedings. Austin then scored a double within four minutes as the Knights defence crashed and burned from tiredness. The Knights then snatched another try through Dane Gagai but the Raiders were never letting them back into the game as the Knights made a number of silly errors. A try to Jarrod Croker finished the game off in style for the Raiders with just a couple of minutes to go. Williams was by far the best on ground, aptly supported by Austin and Shillington who was fantastic. For the Knights there wasn't much to cheer about but Clydesdale was good out of dummy half and Beau Scott was good on the right edge. Uate however was probably their best player on ground. In the end a dominating performance by the Raiders.
Manny
Guest
How long will the press conference be this week? I'm putting in a bet on 5 hours. Pity the Raiders can't put on this kind of performance at home this season.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Pre-season the big worry with the Knights was their middle of the park.. mid-season it seems to be the big problem with the Knights.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great effort from the Raiders in a dominating performance. Full report to follow shortly.
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - Clydesdale goes straight through of the restart and they continue to work it up field They now get a penalty and Sims takes a quick tap before they come right and Gagai tries to get an offload but drops it. Williams comes up with it and the Raiders will hold it for 30 seconds to finish the game. Fensom takes the last hit up and that will be that. Fantastic win for the Raiders. FULLTIME: CANBERRA RAIDERS 44 defeat NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - The Raiders play on pretty quickly and come back to the middle where Kennedy gets shut down. They roll up the field easily and then Shillington looks to go through but has to surrender. Wighton grubbers for himself now into the in goal but it's to long going dead. 7 tackle set Knights. Raiders 44 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - The Knights start their set from about 10 shy of half way and come over halfway pretty quickly Now they come left and Gidley tries to link up with Uate but he puts it down. Raiders 44 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Ricky Stuart looks happy down on he sideline this week. Shillington brings it back from the kick off and then they come right with a series of long passes from Hodgson to Austin and then Soliola goes through. They stay on the right but now make an error. 3 minutes to go. Raiders 44 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by JARROD CROKER Raiders 44 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - TRY RAIDERS, JARROD CROKER The Raiders push forward and Shillington bounces off a tackle before Kennedy gets held. They come left now and Vaughan stands for quite a while before being put down. They come right and Williams looks dangerous and then Hodgson takes a dart and gets held. Williams kicks on the last to the left and Croker leaps up to take it and scores on the left. How good has Williams been this afternoon. Great work from the Raiders as they go past 40. Paul Vaughan heading off the field as well. Raiders 42 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - The Raiders start their set with an offload that looks like going no where before Waqa straightens things up. They come left and Austin goes to Wighton who grubbers into the in goal and Gagai dives on it meaning there will be a drop out. Raiders 38 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
72' - The Knights now push forward a good run on the right hand side from Beau Scott gets them out of trouble. They now run it on the last and a long ball to Leilua looked to be forward but he comes over half way and drops it cold. Raiders scrum around the half way line. Surely there is no way back for the Knights now. Raiders 38 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - Short kick off from the Knights to the left hand side and Waqa flies through the air to take the ball. The Raiders now move up field as Vaughan brings them over half way on the third play. Hodgson out of dummy half takes on the line now before Shillington is wrapped up about 20 meters out. Austin puts the kick up and despite the chase coming through Uate takes it for the Knights. Raiders 38 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - PENALTY GOAL SUCCESSFUL by JARROD CROKER Raiders 38 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
69' - This is awesome work from Hodgson here with the Raiders struggling again. He comes out of dummy half from inside the 40 kicking early and has got it past Gagai as the ball rolls over the sideline inside the 20. 40/20 Raiders . The Raiders now come back towards the middle and pick up a penalty. They are going to take the shot at 2. Raiders 36 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
68' - The Knights really trying a few things here with a massive amount of offloads inside their own half before Ggai goes away down the right hand side before he flicks to Uate who somehow manages to hang on. The high kick comes on the last and Rapana takes it easily. Raiders 36 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
67' - Waqa having a couple of runs in this set and the forwards a little bit quiet in that set so Williams kicks early just short of half way. It has gone over Uate's shoulder, goes close to going out on the full and a wonderful take in the end from Uate who brings it back. Raiders 36 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
65' - The Knights will need everything to be perfect from here on out to win the game as Houston brings it back strongly from the kick off. They now come left and Gidley almost goes through after Clydesdale had darted out of dummy half. Now Sims is stopped just short of half way and then on the last its Tuimivave who puts it high. Poor kick chase and Wighton is able to return it strongly. Raiders 36 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by KURT GIDLEY Raiders 36 Knights 22