Raiders
18
Match Complete
Roosters
22
| J. Croker |  | 65 | ||
| E. Whitehead |  | 64 | ||
| 52 | | D. Tupou | ||
| 34 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 33 | | D. Tupou | ||
| 24 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 23 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| J. Croker | | 14 | ||
| J. Croker | | 13 | ||
| J. Croker | | 11 | ||
| J. Rapana | | 10 | ||
| 5 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 4 | | V. Radley |
| 3 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Match result:
In a tense, thrilling match, the Sydney Roosters have held on for a four-point win over close rivals the Canberra Raiders on Sunday afternoon.
Final score
Canberra Raiders 18
Sydney Roosters 22
Match preview:
Potentially freezing conditions will welcome the Sydney Roosters to the nation’s capital on Sunday afternoon as they get set to do battle with the Canberra Raiders in a blockbuster. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2pm (AEST).
While there isn’t a whole lot between these two sides on paper, and a top-four semi-final preview looked to be in the offering, the weather forecast will make it more than just a little bit tough for the Roosters.
The importance of this game is unreal, with the winner likely to sit in outright second place at the end of Round 21, lining up for a home Week 1 final, possibly in this match-up.
But, at the time of writing, the forecast is for a top of just eight degrees, with a chance of showers and just maybe, snow.
For the quality of the contest though, the hope is that the rain and snow will hold off, and it’ll just be bitterly cold, which is a challenge for the Roosters in itself.
Canberra excel in those conditions, and certainly have this year. They also benefit coming into this game from a nine-day turnaround since they flogged the Warriors in Auckland.
The Raiders barely got out of first gear to complete the demolition job, and it means they have now won four on the trot, to go with seven of their last eight games.
The rise of the Green Machine has been fun to watch in 2019, and they have played with a certain attacking vigour to their footy which makes you feel they are always a threat to score.
Breaching the Roosters defence may prove a tougher challenge, and the pressure will be on half Jack Wighton like it hasn’t been all season.
The tri-colours have also really started to hit their stride in recent weeks, and three straight wins since a loss to the Cowboy have put some doubts into the closet for the club.
While the quality of opposition hasn’t been great, running up a combined 126 points against the Knights, Bulldogs and Titans will go to show just where their attack is at, and it shapes as a battle for the Raiders defence to hold their own.
What we also know about the Roosters is they can play the percentages to get the job done. Their kicking game through Luke Keary and Cooper Cronk will be crucial in these sort of conditions, although the loss of Siosiua Taukeiaho could be a hammer blow in the front row.
The Roosters have historically struggled in Canberra as well, winning just six out of 20 games there as a club.
Prediction
The Raiders have been ruthless in 2019, and these conditions should suit them. It may not be a classic, but it will be close.
Raiders by 4.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 21 NRL match from 2pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 2pm (AEST)
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live Kayo Sports, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, NRL digital pass
Betting: Roosters $1.85, Raiders $1.95
Overall record: Played 61, Roosters 33, Raiders 28
Last meeting: Round 9, 2019 – Roosters 30 defeat Raiders 24 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Last five: Raiders 3, Roosters 2
Record at venue: Played 20, Raiders 14, Roosters 6
Referees: Ashley Klein, Chris Sutton
Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Nick Cotric 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
Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Dunamis Lui 16.Corey Horsburgh 17. Ryan Sutton 18. Sam Williams 19. Joseph Leilua 20. Emre Guler 21.Michael Oldfield
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher 15. Zane Tetevano 16.Poasa Faamausili 17. Sitili Tupouniua 18. Lindsay Collins 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Matt Ikuvalu 21. Lachlan Lam
Rob
Guest
Yeh right Mitchell was alot better than croker and Mitchell was only in second gear croker is a solid player at best
Rob
Guest
The refs helped Canberra as much as possible Hodgson was off side on every play and never got penalised once I don't know what game u were watching even the commentators were saying it and even from the kick offs they were offside on 3 occasions Canberra got every 50/50 calls watch with both eyes
Freddy is king
Roar Rookie
Sticky was pretty honest about it all. Looked like a semi. The Raiders are the real deal but the chooks look like they have another gear in them.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Er ... why? I thought he had a pretty decent game. He was as good as Latrell Mitchell today anyway.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
No idea what you are talking about so might let that one go through to the keeper
Watda
Guest
Exactly...at least you get it...the non forward pass was a gift to the Raiders and they could not capitalise
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Not overly upset by the loss – at least the Raiders were having a crack all day and had their chances to win but couldn’t quite get over the stripe in the last few minutes. The Roosters are a very strong opponent and the Raiders showed they could match it with them. Not going to get in the ref blame game. If the Raiders were good enough they could have won despite the refs. Terrific crowd too – 19,500 despite the cold. Tedesco, Tupou and Crighton were very good for the Roosters – Bateman, Wighton and Papalii were good for the Raiders.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Should be 15 to 3;.
Watda
Guest
Loser speak?
Harry
Guest
I’m a lifelong Raiders fan but respectfully I think you might need to watch the game again. Before the Roosters got five penalties in a row the Raiders got four in a row - some of them pretty dubious. The ruck was a mess all afternoon but Josh Hodgson routinely rushed out of defensive line in a way which was, at the very best, borderline, and I don’t think he got penalised for it even once. The Roosters’ goal-line defence was exceptional and the Raiders’ goal-line attack was far less slick than it’s been in recent weeks. There were some tough calls but the Roosters were clearly the better side - as annoying as that is - and the Raiders weren’t exactly angels.
Taree Raider
Guest
Peter, the Storm were penalised so heavily because they were offside whilst defending their line, or wrestling the stuffing out of Souths whilst defending their line. After 9 penalties do you think someone should have been in the bin? No it's the Storm. The NRL needs to grow up & not keep letting the Storm's tactics ruin our great game.
Renegade
Roar Guru
#refsfault
Peter Piper
Guest
Storm match half time 9:3 penalty count against the Storm. Clear bunnies play the ball knock on ignored by the ref lead to Souths only try and you think the refs favour the Storm. Grow Up!
Pickett
Guest
Cry me a river son. All of your trys came off BS penalties which should never have been. Your team of whinging, kneeing, grubs will get spanked by us if we get a fair shake from the refs. Tell me, what was that last penalty against Morris for?
Taree Raider
Guest
Welcome to the finals, there are no rules to follow, the Roosters & Storm can wrestle the hell out of the opposition, race up from offside in defence & generally get away with spoiling the game. They ALWAYS & I mean ALWAYS get the best of the 50/50's. The best part about today was that it has happened now, not the semi's. The first 10 minutes, the Roosters were continually offside, it was too obvious so the Ref's started to penalise them. 4/0. The Raiders got some ball & therefore field position. Then, can you believe it, the Raiders were that bad that they conceded 5 penalties in a row. The Raiders were penalised for a high shot 8 inches off the ground when the Roosters player slipped. Penalty. JWH the dog hits Wighton twice in the head, 30 inches off the ground, no action. I'm currently watching the Storm/Souths game, its going to script as well. Storm are wrestling the hell out of the Rabbits, but the Rabbits are down 5/0 in the penalty count & down 12/4. I can't figure out why the Raiders lost & Souths won't win. The Ref's are that good at handing the wrestlers, rule breach'ers a very unfair advantage. The best part is that its not the semi's & the Raiders have to play the dogs in a likewise manner. The NRL finals will always be a wrestleathon/rule breachathon as long as the Ref's have no balls.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Don’t lose your nerve Refs, keep penalising that BS in the ruck.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Another excellent call Scott; good man!
Jon
Roar Rookie
Damn. That was a good game. Raiders still to beat one of the top 5 teams. Not sure whether that means anything apart from an (semi) interesting stat, though there are still two more chances in the coming weeks.
WillP
Guest
If someone ever asks you why Croker doesn’t play rep footy, that game is your answer.
Watda
Guest
Cry fowl is ? ...love your work lol..The taste of a Viking Stew...art