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| Final Score | ||
|---|---|---|
| Canberra Raiders | vs | Melbourne Storm |
| 16 | 10 | |
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The Canberra Raiders will play what shapes as the biggest match in the last two decades for the club when they host the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the first NRL preliminary final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
The green machine come into this with a chance to make the grand final for the first time since their last premiership in 1994.
Ricky Stuart’s men will be refreshed following their week off, and full of confidence given they were able to earn that extended rest by beating the Melbourne Storm away from home in their qualifying final.
It was their second victory over the Storm away from home this year, and while their overall record against the top four hasn’t been stellar, that shouldn’t matter for much this evening.
Canberra have all the cards in their favour, with 28,000 fans set to pack out GIO Stadium, and the side virtually at full strength.
While there is the unknown factor about stage fright and playing in big games, the Raiders have handled every challenge thrown at them over the back half of the year, and it’s no surprise they come into the preliminary final as favourites.
South Sydney, on the other hand, had to play last week, and so nearly didn’t live to see Week 3 of the finals. Given their opening qualifying final loss to the Sydney Roosters, and the fact they were well behind against the Sea Eagles, Wayne Bennett’s side almost had their season cut short.
A late comeback extended it, but they will need to be better across the park this evening if they are to contain a dangerous Raiders outfit.
The Rabbitohs need to string 80 minutes together for the first time in a long time, but more than that, they must improve ball handling and get their edge defence right.
Edge defence has been a major problem for the Bunnies over the past fortnight, and with the Raiders being so dangerous through players like Josh Hodgson and Aidan Sezer providing for Jordan Rapana, Nick Cotric, Joey Leilua and Jarrod Croker on the edges, Canberra could have a field day.
Prediction
It’s hard to see the Raiders not coming away with the win. That’s not to say are unbackable favourites, but they should hold things together and run over the top at the end of the match with a big advantage in fatigue.
Raiders by 10.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the first NRL preliminary final from 7:50pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV: Live, Fox League 502, Channel 9
Online: Live, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, Kayo Sports, 9Now, NRL Digital Pass
Betting: Raiders $1.50, Rabbitohs $2.45
Overall record: Played 55, Raiders 32, Rabbitohs 23
Last meeting: Round 10, Raiders 12 defeated by Rabbitohs 16 at GIO Stadium
Last five: Raiders 3, Rabbitohs 2
Record in finals: Played 4, Raiders 2, Rabbitohs 2
Record at venue: Played 15, Raiders 9, Rabbitohs 6
Referees: Ben Cummins, Grant Atkins
Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Iosia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joseph Tapine
Bench: 14. Bailey Simonsson, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Dunmais Lui, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Ryan Sutton, 20. Siliva Havili, 21. Sebastian Kris
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Adam Doueihi, 2. Alex Johnston, 5. Campbell Graham, 4. Dane Gagai, 19. Corey Allan, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Tom Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Liam Knight, 11. John Sutton, 12. Sam Burgess, 13. Cameron Murray
Bench: 14. George Burgess, 15. Tevita Tavola, 16. Ethan Lowe, 17. Mark Nicholls, 18. Jaydn Su’A, 19. Corey Allan, 20. Dean Britt, 21. Mawene Hiroti
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