Raiders
20
Match Complete
Wests Tigers
12
| 44 |  | M. Mbye | ||
| 42 |  | D. Nofoaluma | ||
| J. Croker |  | 25 | ||
| J. Croker | | 22 | ||
| J. Rapana | | 20 | ||
| 18 | | M. Mbye | ||
| 17 | | J. Aloiai | ||
| J. Croker | | 10 | ||
| C. Nicoll-Klokstad | | 8 | ||
| J. Croker | | 4 | ||
| D. Lui | | 3 |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Match result:
The Canberra Raiders have strengthened their position within the NRL’s top eight with an eight-point win over the Wests Tigers on Saturday.
The Tigers had the better of the second half but didn’t have the polish to make the most of their chances.
After a strong first half, the Raiders struggled to get any territory in the second half but their defence proved too strong in the end.
Final score
Canberra Raiders 20
Wests Tigers 12
Match preview:
The Canberra Raiders get the chance to solidify their position in the top four this Saturday night, when they take on the Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:30pm AEST.
The Raiders are fast shaping up as the one team capable of upsetting the “big 3” as we move into the semi-finals.
Ricky Stuart has always had an exciting backline in Canberra. However, an underrated pack led by Josh Hodgson and John Bateman is creating plenty of chances for Jack Wighton and Aidan Sezer to shine.
Michael Oldfield comes into the centres to replace the suspended Nick Cotric whilst Josh Papalii makes his return after Origin, with Iosia Soliola moving to the bench.
The West Tigers would be kicking themselves. They blew their chance to beat an under-strength Roosters team a fortnight ago and were soundly beaten by the Eels at Bankwest Stadium last week.
A win in either of those two matches would have them inside the top eight.
As it is, they have a tough draw coming up so they will be desperate to create an upset tonight.
Just one change for the Tigers, with Paul Momirovski coming onto the wing in place of Robert Jennings.
Prediction
The Raiders seem to be peaking at the right time in this year’s competition.
They will be up against a Tigers squad needing a win but the Raiders, at home, will have too much class.
Canberra Raiders by 14
When: 5:30pm AEDT
Where: GIO Stadium
TV: Fox League
Online: NRL Live, Foxtel app or Foxtel now
Betting: Canberra Raiders $1.44, Wests Tigers $2.75
Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Michael Oldfield 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dunamis Lui 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine
Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Iosia Soliola 17. Emre Guler
West Tigers
1. Corey Thompson 2. Paul Momirovski 3. Moses Mbye 4. Esan Marsters 5. David Nofoaluma 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Robbie Farah 10. Alex Twal 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Matt Eisenhuth
Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Elijah Taylor 17. Michael Chee-Kam
Neel
Roar Guru
CNK is a huge loss for the Warriors. He is carving it up at the Raiders but gee, the Warriors let another good player go.
Tony
Guest
It is Canberra....I bet rather than throw it out straight away, they will give him a $1500 fine. What a joke NRL...
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Bit a of second half slog, but we will take the two.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Thanks David :)
Jono
Guest
Again the Raiders were well off in the 2nd half. They need to fix that up if they want to match it with the top teams.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Cowboys and the Raiders are next up out of Townsville. I'm off for a short break before switching sports and looking after the Diamonds Netball World Cup semi. Thanks for following the blog tonight.
Insider
Roar Rookie
How much longer will WT continue with Robbie and Benji ? All your doing is wasting Brooks talent and not giving youth an opportunity, I think tonight’s game would have suited Josh to be honest, Madge proves again his a one hit wonder
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Credit to the Tigers for not lying down and winning the 2nd half 6 - 0. They kept the Raiders scoreless in the 2nd half. Quite an achievement. The Raiders look like a solid top 4 side. Now let's see if the Rabbitohs can answer the challenge next game.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Tigers had the better of the second half but didn't have the polish to make the most of their chances. After a strong first half, the Raiders struggled to get any territory in the second half but their defence proved too strong in the end
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT' Marshall has knocked on in the last play and its full time. The Raiders have won 20-12 Raiders 20 Tigers 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Just time for a Tigers scrum after a Raiders touch on the last play. Raiders 20 Tigers 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Lawrence gets it to the 40m line. Marshall runs it on last and finds Marsters on wing. Good defence from the Raiders and play breaks down Raiders 20 Tigers 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' Good run by Bateman. Sezer's grubber finds Mbye Raiders 20 Tigers 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' Papalii works it forward. Lui does the same. Marsters is down with a leg injury Raiders 20 Tigers 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
78' Penalty against Tigers for a pass off the ground Raiders 20 Tigers 12
Insider
Roar Rookie
Credit to the Raiders line speed,
David Holden
Roar Guru
78' CNK again down injured and there is a break in play Raiders 20 Tigers 12
David Holden
Roar Guru
77' Marshall finds Nofoaluma early in the count. Brooks pass to Momirovski. He kicks forward and Chee-Kam has it. They go right. Marsters has claimed a try after a miracle get away. Nofoaluma has passed the ball off the ground so there is no try. Raiders hang on Raiders 20 Tigers 12
Rob
Guest
I thought the Raiders would blow the Tigers away tonight at home. Once again the Tigers have played well and hung in the contest.
David Holden
Roar Guru
76' Tapine takes a run at the defence. Croker gets an offload to Papalii. Hodgson's kick finds touch millimetres out from the goal line. Great kick Raiders 20 Tigers 12