Canberra Raiders
14
Match Complete
Melbourne Storm
30
| 75 |  | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 74 |  | J. Hughes | ||
| B. Schneider | | 71 | ||
| N. Cotric | | 70 | ||
| 49 | | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 48 | | J. Olam | ||
| B. Schneider | | 33 | ||
| S. Valemei | | 32 | ||
| 23 | | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 22 | | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 21 | | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 19 | | J. Hughes | ||
| 15 | | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 13 | | H. Grant | ||
| B. Schneider |  | 5 |
| 2 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The NRL returns to the country with the Canberra Raiders at their regional home of Wagga Wagga against the Melbourne Storm. Join The Roar for live scores from 3pm AEST.
The Raiders have been trying to offload at every opportunity this season and perhaps that’s part of their problem. It’s spread across the board among their forwards – not all the time but on some occasions it perhaps would be more beneficial to charge harder into the line, find the ground quickly for a fast play-the-ball.
Canberra have kept the squad the same but don’t be surprised if Tom Starling is a late switch back to the bench from hooker.
Melbourne’s Justin Olam was named Dally M centre of the year in 2021 alongside Matt Burton, who is back at five-eighth now he’s a Bulldog. Apart from Roosters star Joey Manu and Knights veteran Dane Gagai is there anyone else who goes close to challenging Olam for the mantle of best centre in the game?
Coach Craig Bellamy has the luxury of not needing to change a winning team after Melbourne won by 44.
Game information
Kick-off: 3:00pm (AEST)
Venue: McDonald’s Park, Wagga Wagga
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Betting: Raiders $4.35, Storm $1.22 – odds via PlayUp
Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Semi Valemei 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Elliott Whitehead
Interchange: 14. Matt Frawley 15. Emre Guler 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Xavier Savage 19. Ryan Sutton 20. James Schiller 21. Harry Rushton 22. Jarrod Croker 23. Trey Mooney 24. Peter Hola
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Nick Meaney 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King
Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Trent Loiero 17. Tepai Moeroa 18. Tyran Wishart 19. Chris Lewis 20. Marion Seve 21. Jayden Nikorima 22. Jordan Grant 23. William Warbrick 24. Sualauvi Faalogo
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Jack's really turned around his form this year after a pretty ordinary 2021. He may not be a natural 5/8 but its the best option the Raiders have got. And he seems to be developing his short kicking game. Jack got the Raiders how against the Titans and Sharks. He does have some errors in him but I'd rather he had them in the halves than at full back. The Raiders have errors happening all over the park at the moment. If they can clean them up - and that's a big if - they should be more competitive against teams higher on the ladder.
Justin
Guest
Wighton always puts in a huge effort. He gets lots of compliments at times, as being a great 5/8th. I still don’t see him as a natural in the halves. He still does plenty of dumb things, drops the ball too often. Stuffs moves up. That’s part of the Raiders problems in not winning some of the games . He’s a centre, as the Raiders have a couple of fullbacks & that’s it.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks Brendan, I appreciate your support.
Brendon
Roar Rookie
I agree with you. I think of the 4 players he would be the last one o try and retain, behind Pap, Hughes and Grant. Brilliant player but doesn't fit the Storm game plan
Stormy
Roar Rookie
We'll agree that is very talented, not to his value as a team player. Fair?
Cam
Roar Rookie
I think his role is exactly what we saw today, he plays what is in front of him. 146m, 6 tackle busts, 1 linebreak, 2 try assists, 13 tackles and a strip. Meany dropped one of his grubbers with the line open and he was called back when Wighton milked a penalty, which looked like a length of the field try was on the cards. I thought he was very good today.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Agree scar - I know the Raiders lost but I saw a lot of positive signs today
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
I’m not kidding, we’ll take him!
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
I really thought Papalii would give the Raiders a very similar player to NAS to attack in that same powerful style, but he was just unsighted. Illustrated that it's more than just his size, it's his skill and fitness that are making him a weapon for Melbourne
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I know you're just taking the pi$$ - bit frustrating to watch this mob at the moment - but I don't think they are too far away
Stormy
Roar Rookie
I hope he does. He's obviously, happy to be here & keen to learn.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Undoubtedly, he has talent, but, to me, his flashes of brilliance are, far, outnumbered by his selfish plays. Do you really want to manage his off-field indiscretions as well?
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
There is obviously a massive advantage to picking players from other so called "tier 1" nations who can really play if it means you don't lose them to origin, that's my takeaway anyway
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
He'll come good. Bellamy has only had 4 games to start training him yet and he's only 21
Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
Spot on mate... NAS is just becoming more dominant each week... Hughes is sensational... origin takes too much oxygen out of the comp ...
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Broncs also would be more than happy to take him.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Not much use just being good in attack, Andy. Pays to be handy in defence as well.
Scar82
Guest
One thing I could say about my raiders they played the full 80. Mistakes let them down but they kept going even up to the last penalty. I think this is a positive compared to playing like last year in the first 4 rounds turn up for one half and the other half turn off. If they keep this up they can go good at the right time of the season. Stick with the same team and build from here. I like Brad Schneider defends well and his attack will get better. I felt he needs to run more sometimes and just improving his last tackle kick options but that will come with experience I think he will be the future 7 for the raiders. I feel they building well.
Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
Bit of a tough marker! His break for the Pap try , big hits in defence, some lovely touches... be thankful you don't follow the Tiges :happy:
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Golfing Cameron Smith is trying to match him.