Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights: NRL live scores, blog

The NRL continues this afternoon with a top-four clash between the Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights, coming to you from Campbelltown Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4.05pm (AEST).

Of all the teams to play last weekend under the faster NRL rules, the Raiders adjusted the best.

They were just brilliant against the Storm, dismantling them 22-6 at AAMI Park. Melbourne just don’t get beaten like that but they were off the pace against the Raiders.

The forward pack, led by Josh Hodgson, won the battle of the middle, leaving room for Jack Wighton and George Williams to create plenty of opportunities. While Wighton rightfully deserves the wraps on him, Williams was seriously impressive and is in line for a big season.

They make only one change for this one, with the return of Bailey Simonsson forcing Jordan Rapana to the bench. Michael Oldfield misses out on the 17.

It’s only early days, but it seems like Adam O’Brien has created some real resilience in this Knights team.

As depleted as they were, they had no right to hold the Panthers to a 14-14 draw last weekend, but they did. In fact, they were really only a fingertip away from Edrick Lee scoring a winning try.

Newcastle welcome back Kalyn Ponga this weekend while Andrew McCullough will make his Knights debut, replacing the injured Connor Watson. Mitchell Pearce has been named on the halves, but he must be in serious doubt after his concussion last weekend.

Prediction
Canberra did enough last weekend to install themselves as early premiership favourites. There is a risk of an energy plateau after a game like last week’s but Ricky Stuart will have them fired up.

I’m tipping a comfortable win for the Raiders.

Canberra by 12

Game information

Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEST)
Venue: Campbelltown Stadium
TV: Fox Sports, Channel Nine
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, 9Now, NRL Live Pass

Teams

Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Joseph Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Corey Horsburgh

Bench/Reserves: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Jordan Rapana, 18. Tom Starling, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Kai O’Donnell, 21. Michael Oldfield

Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce (c), 8. David Klemmer, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Aidan Guerra, 12. Sione Mata’utia, 13. Herman Ese’ese

Bench/Reserves: 14. Tex Hoy, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Tim Glasby, 17. Brodie Jones, 18. Gehamat Shibasaki, 19. Chris Randall, 20. Mason Lino, 21. Pasami Saulo