The Canberra Raiders are in the top eight after a 26-point win over the Warriors in what was a poor defensive effort from the New Zealand side.
REPORT: RAIDERS TAKE BIG WIN OVER WARRIORS
Final score
New Zealand Warriors 12
Canberra Raiders 38
It’s a battle for positioning on the ladder when the New Zealand Warriors take a home game to Yarrow Park in New Plymouth for a clash against the Canberra Raiders. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Warriors might have been technically away from home last weekend, but played in New Zealand anyway as the Penrith Panthers shifted a game to Christchurch.
In very tough conditions, with a massive wind howling across the ground, the Panthers would pull out a 12-point win, continuing the Warriors’ inconsistent season.
Of course, before the Representative Round the Warriors had beaten the St George Illawarra Dragons despite being massively under-strength with six players stood down due to discipline reasons, along with Tuimoala Lolohea and Thomas Leulali out through injury.
The week before that their defence looked like that of a schoolboy’s team as they leaked 42 points against the Melbourne Storm with some of the softest tries you are ever going to see.
All of that has left them sitting a lowly 13th place on the ladder, yet with four victories from their 10 games and only two points out of the top eight.
The Raiders, like their opponents in this match, have been inconsistent this season, barely able to string together 80 minutes of football let alone a few games in a row.
They come into this match on the back of a four-point loss at the hands of the Dragons which was their second straight defeat – their last win, which came in Round 8, was a 60 points to 6 drubbing of the Wests Tigers.
In team news, the Warriors will be without Solomone Kata and Charlie Gubb with Simon Mannering back to lock and John Palavi on the bench. The other players to return are Sam Lisone and Toafofoa Sipley.
The Raiders lose Shaun Fensom with Luke Bateman playing from lock and all of Jeff Lima, Sam Williams and Frank Paul Nuuausala added to a six-man bench.
There is no question that either of these teams can put points up in a hurry with attacking prowess right across the park. However, this match could come down to which forward pack dominates and makes things easier for the creative players.
You can have all the talent running around in the backline, but if they are constantly being forced to work out of their own half then there isn’t much they can do. Furthermore, sustained pressure on what are typically weak defensive lines could lead to a mountain of points in a short space of time.
Prediction
It’s going to be a high-scoring game with defence not a priority for either team – with that being the case I expect Shaun Johnson to run riot.
Warriors by 12.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this clash from 5:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Jacko
Guest
And Crappy keeps picking Wright and Ashford too. Put Johnson back to fullback until he learns how to run and have loloheia at 7. Mc Crappy must absolutely hate Hurrell but it will cost him his job (hopefully) and Toovey will get the best from the team
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
The Raiders were very impressive - particularly their defence. The Warriors through a lot at them but they stood strong. Very consistent performances across the park. Good to see Austin recapturing some form. Smart move by Ricky to start with Baptiste. Lima has been the surprise buy of the year and Wighton deserves some credit with a much better performance. The pass to set up Croker's try is the type of linking play expected from a good full back. If the Raiders can maintain this form in the coming weeks they are destined for a top six spot.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results: The New Zealand Warriors abysmal defence has allowed the Canberra Raiders to run away with a massive 26-point win at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth during Round 11 of the NRL season. It was a nearly pathetic performance in defence from the Warriors as they leaked in plenty of soft tries and made countless errors in attack. Coupled with giving away penalties it became an impossible task for New Zealand. Canberra should be given plenty of credit as well for their excellent work in attack, with Josh Hodgson having a noticeable impact when he came off the bench and Aiden Sezer, along with Blake Austin controlling things well. When New Zealand were in attack they lacked direction for the most part, although Shaun Johnson had some moments of brilliance - most of which didn't result in points. The Canberra forward pack also made life easy for their creative players, dominating for most of the night. Elliott Whitehead, Shannon Boyd, Paul Vaughan and Luke Bateman led the way running hard and making easy metres. The first try was for Blake Austin in the 18th minute. Like the Warriors, the Raiders also started slowly dropping plenty of balls – but penalties led them down the field and Austin threw a big dummy to the right, then spun out of a tackle and scored easily. Joseph Leilua would be next to score with a bit of a luck off a deflection to a grubber kick out wide. Jarrod Croker was the man who showed just how poor the Warriors defence was in the first half, as he got the ball out on the left from a Jack Wighton pass, put the foot down and ran through like they weren’t even there. At halftime, the Raiders were absolutely dominating. Throw in a couple of penalty goals and they were up 22-0, with the Warriors not looking like scoring - or stopping the Raiders from doing so. It was a complete momentum shift - even though short lived - after the break as Sam Lisone and James Gavet fired the Warriors into action. They looked like a completely different team as they rolled up the middle with ease, putting the Raiders under plenty of pressure. Their execution when right on the attack was lacking though and while Thomas Leulali, Tuimoala Lolohea and Shaun Johnson all had plenty of involvement they simply couldn't create enough points. When errors crept back into their game in a big way they again couldn't control the Raiders and the game went away from them at a cracking pace. Shaun Johnson would put the Warriors on the board in the 45th minute after they spread to the right and found the defence outnumbered. Bodene Thompson so nearly butchered it, but Johnson would collect an offload from the ground and score. The momentum of the game would slowly shift around before Josh Papalii crossed in the 55th minute off a pass from Josh Hodgson close to the line. It would be another 10 minutes before Josh Hodgson crashed over out of dummy half through the defence. The Warriors would then get caught spreading it out of their own end with Blake Ayshford unable to hang onto a pass and Edrick Lee would run away to score in the corner. The scoring would finish through Blake Ayshford with a consolation try after Thompson had the ball raked and Ayshford was there to pick up the crumbs. The Raiders with a big win in New Plymouth, moving back into the top eight while the Warriors disapppointing season continues. Final Score New Zealand Warriors 12 Canberra Raiders 38
Jono
Guest
Warriors were their own worst enemies in that game. Gave away too many penalties and some drop ball in their 10 proved very costly. Raiders were good. They did leak two tries after poor errors. The first a poor clean up of a kick by Wighton and the second a crazy basketball ball pass from Rapana when he was standing still with 4 Warriors around him. BJ had 4 errors I think if you count not collecting Rapana's pass. THough one was a incorrect strip call. He just needs to try and limit those. It was also good to see Baptiste get more time. He has had limited time this year, but has looked good. Raiders haven't been able to back up good wins this year, so next week against a weakened Dogs will be interesting to see.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just repeating the final score: New Zealand Warriors 12 Canberra Raiders 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report to follow soon... Need to have something to eat! Been at it for four hours with the game before this. Thanks for joining me this evening for The Roar's live coverage of the 2016 NRL season as the Canberra Raiders recorded a massive away win over the New Zealand Warriors in New Plymouth. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Be sure to join John Coomer right now as Round 11 continues with the Cronulla Sharks hosting the Manly Sea Eagles. http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/05/21/cronulla-sharks-vs-manly-sea-eagles-nrl-live-scores-blog-2/ I'll be back next weekend and don't forget there is plenty of other live sport right here on The Roar. AFL, Super Rugby, Cycling, NBA playoffs and the French Open starts tomorrow night! Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Roar's NRL MVP 3 - Josh Hodgson 2 - Elliott Whitehead 1 - Jordan Rapana
Scott Pryde
Expert
STATS:: Tries: Warriors (2), Raiders (6) Goals: Warriors (2/2), Raiders (5/6) Penalty Goals: Warriors (0), Raiders (2/2) Possession: Warriors (47%), Raiders (53%) Completions: Warriors (27/37), Raiders (27/38) All Runs: Warriors (148), Raiders (157) All Run Metres: Warriors (1239), Raiders (1355) Line Breaks: Warriors (1), Raiders (5) Offloads: Warriors (3), Raiders (5) Tackles: Warriors (339), Raiders (303) Missed Tackles: Warriors (28), Raiders (19) Penalties: Warriors (7), Raiders (10) Errors: Warriors (9), Raiders (11)
Targa
Guest
I feel sorry for any New Plymouth fans who paid money to watch the Warriors. I think that they will stick to watching the Taranaki provincial rugby team who are a much better side.
Steve
Guest
This is the worst performing Warriors side in living memory. All those guys should hang their heads in shame.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That was a miserable performance from the Warriors there. They struggled all night long and the Raiders were dominant. Stats, report and MVP to come. Thoughts Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - FULLTIME The Warriors with a sweeping play to the left that takes them over halfway and ends with Allwood before Gavet has a carry through the middle. Right to Leulali and then Johnson who has it at speed and finds Thompson. Johnson back into the middle for Hoffman who picks up a pass of the ground and is taken a metre out. Last play and Johnson grubbers through with Croker knocking it dead. That will be all there is time for. Dominating victory by the Raiders. New Zealand Warriors 12 Canberra Raiders 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - The Warriors pick up a penalty coming out of their own end. Warriors 12 Raiders 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - Croker and Rapana bring the Raiders to halfway before Lima has a run. Nwo they come left and Whitehead has a run with Rapana now going from dummy half and he cops a high shot from Allwood. He is down for a while but will be ok to continue. Now the Raiders come left to Austin and he slips over. Last play from 25 out and Sezer puts it through the hands to Wighton and then Lee who offloads to Croker who is taken over the sideline. Warriors 12 Raiders 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - The Raiders drive the kick off deep and it is Gavet to bring it back with a big charge but wrapped up by 3 defenders. Hoffman with the next run before Matulino goes out the back to Johnson and then Thompson who has some space but is pulled down 10 short of halfway. Now Lisone with another run into the middle before Luke goes up the middle and offloads to Thompson. Inside of 30 metre and Lolohea with a chip and another prod through off the toe with Lee taking it in the ingoal. Seven tackle set. Warriors 12 Raiders 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by SHAUN JOHNSON Warriors 12 Raiders 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - TRY WARRIORS, BLAKE AYSHFORD The Warriors charge it up through Lisone before they come left from Johnson to Thompson with a short ball. He flies through the gap and the ball comes out in some desperate defence. Ayshford has come through and claimed the try but off to the bunker. 1 on 1 strip so the play is still live and Ayshford is ruled to have grounded it. Little too little, too late for the Warriors though. Warriors 10 Raiders 38
Joe
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree more. Pathetic performance from the Warriors. Hoffman has been rubbish since he joined the Warriors and worse since being made captain. I 100% believe that all they need is a good coach. Look at what Bellamy has done with the NZers who don't make the Warriors. The attitude is rubbish.
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - The Warriors start this set 10 metres short of halfway and Wright brings it up before Lisone goes up the middle. Now they come right and shift left but there is really nothing happening here. Hoffman up the middle and he picks up a penalty before Luke takes the quick tap and Hodgson gives another penalty. Warriors 6 Raiders 38
Trenno
Guest
Pressure must really be on McFadden now. The Warriors are make a good Raiders side look like world beaters.