Raiders
30
Match Complete
Wests Tigers
12
| G. Williams |  | 75 | ||
| J. Rapana |  | 75 | ||
| 73 | | L. Brooks | ||
| 72 | | D. Nofoaluma | ||
| C. Nicoll-Klokstad | | 67 | ||
| G. Williams | | 56 | ||
| H. Young | | 54 | ||
| G. Williams |  | 48 | ||
| G. Williams | | 42 | ||
| R. James | | 41 | ||
| G. Williams | | 36 | ||
| J. Rapana | | 35 | ||
| 27 | | L. Brooks | ||
| 25 | | J. Liddle |
| 5 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Canberra Raiders and Wests Tigers face off at GIO Stadium in the nation’s capital. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:05pm (AEDT).
Round 1 NRL action continues when the Raiders host the Tigers in Canberra, with both sides looking to make a positive and points-earning start to the season.
After a commendable fifth-place finish in 2020 and a preliminary final against Melbourne, Ricky Stuart’s green machine will be looking to go one better this season.
Still a powerful squad, finals seem assured for them and with Josh Hodgson back and calling the shots around the ruck, opposition defences had best be ready for a team with plenty of points in them.
Ryan James adds another layer of power to the forwards and Jack Wighton looms as one of the stars of the 2021 competition.
The Tigers come off the back of an 11th-place finish last season when they managed just seven wins from 20 matches.
It was same old for fans, as promising performances were often backed up by dismal ones and doubt still remains around whether Michael Maguire has the tools at his disposal to turn the Tigers into a premiership force.
James Roberts and James Tamou are big signings capable of improving a team that will once again be relying on Luke Brooks to create tries and kick astutely each and every week.
Prediction
The Raiders will win this one, with the Tigers being potentially a few weeks away from gelling as a unit.
Canberra Raiders 42, Wests Tigers 26.
Game information
Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV: Nine, Fox League
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go, 9Now
Betting: Raiders $1.31, Tigers $3.40 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Sebastian Kris, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joseph Tapine
Bench/Reserves: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Ryan James, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Tom Starling, 20. Emre Guler, 21. Harley Smith-Shields
Tigers
1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. James Roberts, 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Asu Kepaoa, 6. Moses Mbye, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. Joe Ofahengaue, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Alex Twal
Bench/Reserves: 14. Tommy Talau, 15. Thomas Mikaele, 16. Stefano Utoikamanu, 17. Russell Packer, 18. Jock Madden, 19. Michael Chee-Kam, 20. Tukimihia Simpkins, 21. Alex Seyfarth
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
Better that than having to cover injuries and a lack of depth for coverage.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
When Croker comes back I suspect Scott may stay in the centres and Ricky might consider Kris on the bench instead of Havilli. Lots of permutations there.
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
He is strong, tough and aggressive. Not too different to Murray and Radley in that but their defence and skill is at a much higher level. I think he is too good a player to not be in the 17 IMO.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Can't see Scott as a small forward - but good to have some depth in the centres
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
It could be a selection headache then. But Scott would make an good small forward in the middle like Murray and Radley. Just a thought.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Not sure when Croker will be back. Kris is a big unit and has a bit of toe as well. Promising player. I though Scott was pretty solid today as well. I'm happy to have Kris and Scott as the centres for a few weeks until they are convinced Croker is ready to go.
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
How long is Croker out for? Someone has to make way for your skipper but Kris looks better than Scott IMO.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Yep - good second half by the boys after a pretty average first half - thought Williams, Young, Tapine and Rapana went really well - some great depth in the forwards off the bench - James and Sutton in particular - and like the look of Seb Kris in the centres
Big Daddy
Guest
Not sure what sort of head space Sutton is in after that sin bin. Blow full time walk off. Not Sutton .
King in the north
Roar Rookie
I’ve been too busy invested in the game to follow the blog. It’s hard when your team is playing to communicate in anything but grunts and roars. I’m happy with that Raiders second half, though I think the Tigers didn’t ask enough questions. The Raiders might be a better balanced side than last year. Reason enough to have early hope.
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
Where's Geoff? He must be at GIO Stadium. Congrats Geoff and the Viking clap brigade. Commiserations Tigers fans... and poor Madge.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Canberra Raiders have launched their 2021 premiership campaign with a comfortable 30-12 win over the Wests Tigers in the nation's capital. The first half saw both teams appear incredibly rusty and tries to Jacob Liddle and Jordan Rapana cancelled the sides out at the break. It was not an opening half to write home about for either and no doubt both coaches called for far more control and discipline from their troops at half time. Ricky Stuart's words appeared to work well, Michael Maguire's did not. The Raiders clicked into gear immediately in the second half, albeit off the back of continued Wests errors. Four second half tries saw the home side stretch out to a comfortable lead and the visitors got no better in terms of controlling the ball and attempting to build pressure on the Canberra defence. Stuart will leave the game pleased with his side's performance in the second half and know a better start will be required in the coming weeks. Maguire will be running basic handling drills all week, hoping that that may be a solution to what was a very average performance from his side with the ball. Final Score Canberra Raiders…………30 Wests Tigers……….…..….12
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
Perhaps not but some dummy halves could be charged with loitering. They aren't given a free pass to stand at dummy half and think about it.
mushi
Roar Guru
That’s what the penalty was for, it was 50/50 if they were or not but gee markers get away with it so often they can’t get to upset.
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
Not many diamonds for either the Broncos or the Rabbitohs Nat. But plenty of rocks though.
mushi
Roar Guru
He dummied and then passed to the raiders earlier :silly:
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
Was he not square at the moment the ball was played? I thought Hodgson jumped out after that. If he wasn't then you are right.
mushi
Roar Guru
I wonder if he's a bit T Rex. Wouldn't mind seeing him try to power through more rather than always adjust to offload. Would change how they defend him.
mushi
Roar Guru
No if your not square
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Match report to follow in five minutes. Canberra Raiders…………30 Wests Tigers……….…..….12