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Raiders
24
Match Complete
Titans
6
| J. Croker |  | 66 | ||
| E. Whitehead |  | 65 | ||
| 46 | | A. Taylor | ||
| 44 | | A. Don | ||
| J. Croker | | 30 | ||
| E. Guler | | 29 | ||
| J. Croker | | 14 | ||
| J. Wighton | | 12 | ||
| J. Croker | | 3 | ||
| J. Wighton | | 2 |
| 4 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Canberra Raiders will be looking to put the disappointment of a grand final loss behind them and get the 2020 NRL season off to the best possible start when they face the Gold Coast Titans in the nation’s capital. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6pm (AEDT).
The Raiders were undoubtedly one of the big success stories of the 2019 season, coming from predictions of missing the top eight to make it all the way through the field, picking off the top teams in the competition until they fell to the Sydney Roosters in the grand final.
And while they are expected to do good things throughout the new season, there are some issues Ricky Stuart will need to sort out before the Raiders can start to dream of premiership glory, or even another strong run into the finals.
With Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana exiting the club, they lose one whole side of their attacking strike, while the bigger loss is that of Aidan Sezer, which brings another English import to the club in George Williams, who will play halves alongside Jack Wighton.
Their combination will be crucial to the way the Raiders work this season, and we should get a chance to see their attacking mettle first up as they play a Gold Coast side already down on manpower, and expected to be at the wrong end of the table once again when September rolls around.
While the kicking game of Wighton and Williams will be under the microscope, so too will the form of breakout stars from last year like Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
One thing Canberra prided themselves on in 2019 was their defence, and you can expect that to be at its ruthless best against the Titans.
It’s hard to know what to make of the Titans coming into the new season, given they spent more of the last one with injuries and an either out of form, or missing out altogether, Ashley Taylor.
Taylor holds the key to the Titans if their forwards can be competitive, but with Moeaki Fotuaika missing from the first game, joining Ryan James on the sidelines, they are severely short on top-line talent in the front row.
Given the Raiders are led by Josh Papalii and a bunch of other experienced, strong forwards, that battle looks like it’ll only go one way, giving the Raiders plenty of scoring opportunities through what has traditionally been a poor Titans defensive line, and it could prove all the difference.
Prediction
The Raiders are stronger in every element of this game and should run away with the win.
Raiders by 18.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this NRL match from 6pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 6.00pm (AEDT)
Venue: GIO Stadium
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, Kayo Sports, NRL Digital Pass
Betting: Raiders $1.30, Titans $3.60
Overall record: Played 23, Titans 12, Raiders 11
Referees: Chris Sutton, Dave Munro
Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Curtis Scott 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dunamis Lui 11. Corey Horsburgh 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine
Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Emre Guler 16. Iosia Soliola 17. Michael Oldfield 18. Jack Murchie 19. Sam Williams
Gold Coast Titans
1. Phillip Sami 2. Anthony Don 3. Kallum Watkins 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Dale Copley 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ash Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Sam Lisone 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Jai Arrow
Interchange: 14. Nathan Peats 15. Jai Whitbread 16. Brian Kelly 17. Jaimin Jolliffe 18. Sam Stone 19. Jonus Pearson
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