Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: NRL live scores, blog

25th July, 2020

Raiders

Match Complete

Rabbitohs

J. Croker	56
S. Valemei	56
J. Croker	47
	26	A. Reynolds
	24	A. Reynolds
	22	A. Reynolds
	21	D. Gagai
J. Croker	15
J. Croker	13
N. Cotric	6

3	Tries	2
2	Conversions	2
1	Penalty Goals	0
0	Field Goals	0

The NRL action continues tonight with the match between the Canberra Raiders and South Sydney Rabbitohs at GIO Stadium in Canberra. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7.35pm (AEST).

Few thought a depleted Raiders line up had a chance against the Roosters just over a week ago at the SCG. Someone forgot to give Ricky Stuart and his team the script, however, and the Raiders triumphed in the grand final rematch.

It’s anybody’s guess as to how the Raiders will back up after such an emotional win, but they do have the advantage of a longer turnaround to get ready for this one.

Though the loss of Josh Hodgson is massive for the Raiders, Jack Wighton and George Williams took control last weekend, and Josh Papalii has to be close to the best front-rower in the game. The Raiders are certainly not done with this season.

Michael Oldfield is out with a hamstring injury, with Jordan Rapana moving to centre. Semi Valemei gets a start on the wing. Harley Smith-Shields joins the bench. John Bateman has been named in the 21 but is highly unlikely to play.

The Rabbits got to within two points of the Knights last Saturday night, but that doesn’t tell the real story. The Knights led by 20 with 15 minutes to go and simply clocked off too early, letting the Rabbits almost steal a win.

Much has been made of the Rabbitohs being below their best so far this season, although it’s becoming clear that the side may instead just be past its best. The pack isn’t getting enough go-forward and Damien Cook isn’t getting as many opportunities to dart from dummy half and get the attack moving.

James Roberts and Ethan Lowe are both out with long term injuries, with Campbell Graham returning to the team and Bayley Sironen starting. Jack Johns gets his debut off the interchange.

Prediction
There’s no doubt Wayne Bennett would have demanded more of his team this week and they will be better tonight. However, if the Raiders can get close to replicating their form from last round, they should be too good. They will have a Canberra crowd and Viking clap to help them.

Canberra Raiders by ten.

Game information

When: 7.35pm (AEST)
Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV: Fox League
Online: Kayo, Live Pass
Betting: Canberra Raiders: $1.52, South Sydney Rabbitohs: $2.55

Team line-ups

Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Jordan Rapana, 5. Semi Valemi, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papali’i, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Kai O’Donnell
Interchange
14. Tom Starling, 15. Joseph Tapine, 16. Ryan Sutton, 17. Harley Smith-Shields

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Alex Johnston, 2. Corey Allan, 3. Campbell Graham, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Jaydn Su’A, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Cameron Murray
Interchange
14. Mark Nicholls, 15. Hame Sele, 16. Patrick Mago, 17. Jack Johns

Comments:

2020-07-26T03:44:25+00:00

frisky

Roar Rookie

I am constantly surprised howteh Raiders defence does not move up quickly. It seems to wait for teh opposition runnrt to arrive at their wall and it si soli, but they give up a lot of free metres.

2020-07-26T02:32:41+00:00

Mango Jack

Roar Guru

There's a resilience and self-belief about the Raiders at the moment. That comes from good coaching and on-field leadership. Credit to Sticky and Croker.

2020-07-25T13:27:23+00:00

Geoff from Bruce Stadium

Roar Rookie

The Raiders really like getting into the grind these days and you never know what will happen when the scores are close. This team is a far cry from the free wheeling Blake Austin and Leipana led 2016 team that loved to score but weren’t as keen on defence. Or the team that found different ways to lose close games in 2017 and 2018. This mob just loves a good scrap and that’s usually what finals are all about. If you look at the Raiders record against the Storm and the Roosters in the past two or three seasons its actually pretty good. The Raiders have won 4 out of the last 7 against the Roosters and 3 out of the last 4 against the Storm.

2020-07-25T13:13:19+00:00

Wood.Duck

Roar Rookie

This is just great watching Soufths Rabbit0's lose again and way down the table in 10th place. Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha.......... Bwahahahahahaha.........Bwahahahahahaha.bwah

2020-07-25T13:10:05+00:00

RooBoy18

Roar Rookie

The Raiders defence has been awesome and it's what will hold them in good stead come the pointy end of the season. It's a credit to Sticky's passionate coaching that he is getting his team to rise to the occasion despite the mounting injury toll. But of course we will be no match for Roosters or Storm in the finals...

2020-07-25T12:35:48+00:00

Geoff from Bruce Stadium

Roar Rookie

Pretty nerve racking last 20 minutes – Raiders had a bit of luck with their tries but jeez they kept turning up in defence – despite losing CNK and Rapana. Souths had plenty of chances to win that but the Raiders are a resilient bunch. Papalii, Lui and Tapine have been enormous over the past 3 weeks and Jordan Rapana was fantastic tonight. Good to see the young blokes having a crack. Harley Smith-Shields and Valemei didn’t look out of place. Great game of footy. Souths gave it anything but couldn’t quite crack the Green wall in the final minutes.

2020-07-25T12:24:00+00:00

Skidmarx

Guest

Sou ffs are toast , my prediction of missing the eight is looking pretty safe .

2020-07-25T12:16:38+00:00

MadgicSH

Roar Rookie

If Valemei EVER does that again he should be on the next plane back to Fiji! Disgraceful.

2020-07-25T12:12:56+00:00

Cugel

Roar Rookie

Despite the crowd restrictions, pretty handy atmosphere in the Hill Stand, good stuff.