The Raiders have proved that this year’s competition is more open than any other in recent history, stunning the table-topping Roosters 14-12 on Sunday afternoon at GIO Stadium.
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Final score
Canberra Raiders 14
Sydney Roosters 12
The Sydney Roosters will look to take a giant step towards securing the minor premiership when they taken on a Canberra Raiders side with little to play for. Join The Roar for lives scores and a blog of the match, starting at 4:10pm (AEST).
Ricky Stuart will have a tough job motivating his side this week after their season was officially ended last weekend by the Tigers.
Canberra haven’t won in over a month and have conceded an average of 34 points a game in their past four matches. It doesn’t bode well for the Raiders this week as with little motivation they could struggle to contain a rampant Roosters outfit.
Despite having won only eight matches this year, Canberra still have the best attack in the competition.
However, they aren’t even guaranteed to find success with the ball on Sunday afternoon given that the Roosters currently concede just 15 points per game – the best defensive record in the league.
After a shaky game at fullback last week, Nick Cotric returns to the wing for the game against the Tricolours with Brad Abbey taking his spot at the back.
Meanwhile, after soaring to driver’s position on the ladder off the back of five-straight wins, Trent Robinson’s men are in the box seat to claim this year’s minor premiership.
A win on Sunday afternoon would see them move two points ahead of South Sydney after their 38-18 loss to Brisbane on Thursday night.
They will have to overcome some key injuries along the way though, with enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves joining Luke Keary on the sidelines.
He is replaced by Dylan Napa, who was being eased back into the side after returning from a knee injury.
The Roosters may be expected to win Sunday afternoon’s game by plenty, but they will have to overcome a poor record in the nation’s capital if they are to do so – they haven’t won in Canberra since 2010.
Prediction
Complacency is all that will stop the Tricolours from racking up a big score.
Roosters by 24.
Join The Roar for lives scores and a blog of the match, starting at 4:10pm (AEST).
apunter
Guest
Sure, Pearce would have been handy today but there are at least a dozen better options than Matterson in the club for that position.
Big daddy
Guest
A bit of Kenny Edwards in that tackle
Forty Twenty
Guest
A whole article before the season began was about Cronk being a bad buy because the Hens needed forwards instead of two halves. It made some sense but what it missed was the value of having Cronk and Pearce in the same squad to cover injuries. It might not be something you would plan for but Pearce would be incredibly handy at the moment and in the finals.
sham
Guest
Good win to the Raiders - they showed more discipline than normal and their defence was better
Cugel
Roar Rookie
That was a pleasant turnup. Handy lead at halftime, concede early, predictable result ensues - usually.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
You can scoff Scott but I'd say Hodgson is the third best hooker in the league - only behind Cameron Smith and Damien Cook. And I'd argue that Jack Wighton was in career best form before his 10 week suspension started - averaging 120 metres a game and with 5 try assists from the 9 games he played.. Hodgson missed 15 games through injury and Wighton ten through suspension. They only played one game together for the season. How do you think the Storm would have gone in similar circumstances?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
There is no pleasing some blokes
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Good stuff Renegade
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Gutsy and controlled effort from the Raiders - nothing pretty - nothing flashy - nothing stupid - just good hard determined footy - almost mistake free - I think they had a 100% completion rate at half time - and every player did what was asked of them. Thought BJ and the rest of the defence handled Latrell Mitchell and Tedesco really well. And Williams came up with some smart kicks at the back end to ice the game. Ricky would have to be super impressed by that effort. Best game they've played all year. Gives us supporters some hope for next year.
Nat
Roar Guru
hahaha, and Ricky was dead serious. That would make GI Gasnier/Invine combined.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah. Wighton = Slater Hodgson = Smith. Remember?
Nat
Roar Guru
Looks like a more important 5 than Steve has been using for 2 weeks.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Match Report: The Raiders have proved that this year’s competition is more open than any other in recent history, stunning the table-topping Roosters 14-12 on Sunday afternoon at GIO Stadium. With the Panthers and Warriors also stumbling against lowly opposition in Round 23, it is clear that no result is guaranteed in the closing rounds of this season, with just two points separating first and sixth place on the competition ladder. The two points were crucial for the Roosters given that it would have seen them remain outright leaders ahead of the Rabbitohs and Storm. However, what they did not expect was a committed and controlled Raiders outfit, who despite having little to play for, held on for a two-point win. Canberra surged to a 12-0 lead at half time on the back of a 100% completion rate, with their only try coming in the 9th minute when Jordan Rapana soared over out wide of a lovely ball from Brad Abbey. Their remaining six points came from penalty goals, as Ricky Stuart’s men put in a composed first forty minutes to hold a comfortable lead heading into the sheds. It did not take long, however, for the Roosters to hit back, with Boyd Cordner charging over in the 43rd minute to reduce the deficit to six. Despite having the best attack in the competition, the Raiders were instead building the victory off a resolute effort in defence. But ill-discipline eventually cost them when they conceded three-consecutive penalties on their own line, with Victor Radley finally cracking them in the 61st minute. With scores locked up at 12 points apiece heading into the final ten minutes, Canberra fans settled in for what looked like yet another devastating last-gasp defeat. However, halves Sam Williams and Blake Austin stepped up to close out the game, with Williams’ 70th minute penalty goal proving the difference. The victory sees the Raiders climb back up to 10th spot on the ladder while the Roosters drop down to second behind the Storm.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Sezer, Wighton, Croker, Oldfield and Hingano.... that’s 5 mate
Aw
Guest
He is crap
steveng
Roar Rookie
Ren, they only had 2 out, the chooks couldn't win a cook raffle, they always need some sort of an advantage. They have been slowing the play the ball all day and still couldn't win.
Aw
Guest
Roosters are pathetic. Not worthy of top four!!!
apunter
Guest
Someone please explain to me the logic behind playing Matterson at the crucial position of 5/8. He can't catch, can't pass. can't kick. He has no try assists either.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Actually the Raiders do have 5 out, they just went out and won instead of making excuses...
Aw
Guest
You can write the roosters off. They will win nothing!,