Roar Guru
Canberra Raiders
22
Match Complete
Sydney Roosters
16
M. Timoko | 70 | |||
65 | J. Suaalii | |||
62 | S. Walker | |||
61 | P. Momirovski | |||
J. Fogarty | 43 | |||
S. Kris | 42 | |||
J. Fogarty | 31 | |||
X. Savage | 29 | |||
25 | S. Walker | |||
23 | S. Tupouniua | |||
J. Fogarty | 10 | |||
A. Elliott | 8 |
4 | Tries | 3 | ||
3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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Round 13 of the NRL Premiership concludes this afternoon when the Canberra Raiders take on the Sydney Roosters at GIO Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4.05pm AEST.
With State of Origin I only days away, both sides are missing some stars this afternoon. However the 2 competition points, especially for a resurgent Raiders outfit, remains very important.
The Canberra Raiders have shown signs of improvement over the past few weeks and that was shown again last weekend with a tight 8 point loss to the Eels. Ricky Stuart wouldn’t have been happy with the defeat, but he can surely see light at the end of the tunnel.
The Raiders are led upfront by Josh Papalii and Joseph Tapine, arguably one of the best front rows in the comp. With Jamal Fogarty back in the side, Canberra’s attack has taken on a better direction.
Having said that, the loss of Papalii and Jack Wighton to Origin does leave some big gaps to fill. Matt Frawley will play in the 6 jersey whilst Corey Horsburgh will move to starting prop. Corey Harawira-Naera and Trey Mooney join the bench.
You get the impression that the Roosters are slowly rediscovering their mojo. Winning at Shark Park is never easy and the tri-colours did it with relative ease.
Sam Walker and Luke Keary are finding their way with their new combination, although having James Tedesco in your spine doesn’t hurt. Angus Crichton will be itching for this one after missing out on Origin selection.
The Roosters are missing Tedesco, Daniel Tupou and Lindsay Collins to Origin. Kevin Naiqama and Billy Smith join a re-shuffled backline. In the forwards, Sitili Tupouniua will start with Egan Butcher gaining a spot on the bench.
Prediction
With both sides missing quality players, this is a difficult one to pick.
The Roosters forwards were perhaps helped last week by injuries to 4 of Cronulla’s forward stocks. They won’t have the same luxury today.
If the Raiders can gain parity in the forwards, they may have too much class in the backline.
Canberra Raiders by 2
Kick-off: 4:05pm AEST
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Nine Network
Odds: Raiders $2.35, Roosters $1.60 – odds via PlayUp
Canberra
1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott
Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 17. Trey Mooney
Sydney Roosters
1. Joseph Manu 2. Billy Smith 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Drew Hutchison 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Nat Butcher
Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Egan Butcher 17. Terrell May
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