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Titans
0
Match Complete
Raiders
21
| 76 |  | J. Croker | ||
| 73 |  | A. Sezer | ||
| 64 |  | B. Simonsson | ||
| 43 | | J. Leilua | ||
| 39 |  | J. Croker | ||
| 39 | | I. Soliola | ||
| 28 | | J. Croker | ||
| 20 | | J. Croker |
| 0 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 0 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 1 |
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Canberra have cruised to an easy 21-0 win over the Gold Coast in heavy rain at Robina.
The Raiders dominated in south-east Queensland, playing the conditions perfectly and using Jarrod Croker’s boot to notch a round one victory.
The Titans lost Tyrone Roberts to an Achilles injury after just 13 minutes.
Soon after Canberra took the lead when Croker nailed his first penalty goal.
Seven minutes later the centre added another to make it 4-0.
With Jack Wighton excelling in his new role at five-eighth, the Raiders grabbed their first try just before half-time.
Josh Hodgson grubbered perfectly and Sia Soliola got to the ball first. Canberra went into the break 10-0 in front in a commanding position.
With debutant John Bateman impressive, the Raiders weathered a Titans second-half response.
The home team’s effort was there but their composure and attacking execution was not.
Early in the second BJ Leuluai barged through, after Nic Cotric’s offload, to make it 14-0.
With both teams making knock on after knock on, controversy reigned when Ash Brimson dived over.
The try was not given for a suspected forward pass from Brenko Lee, but it appeared harsh on Gold Coast.
With 15 minutes left the Raiders added try number three.
Aiden Sezer kicked to the right wing and debutant Kiwi Bailey Simonsson leapt high to score.
Croker added a field goal and another penalty in the final stages as the Raiders nilled an opponent for the first time since 2013.
Final score
Gold Coast Titans 0
Canberra Raiders 21
The Canberra Raiders head to Queensland to take on the Gold Coast Titans in Round 1 of the NRL. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 6:10pm (AEDT).
Both the Raiders and Titans had difficult 2018 campaigns. Little went right for Garth Brennan in his first season on the Glitter Strip, while Ricky Stuart’s Green Machine also failed to make the top eight.
Canberra have uncovered some diamonds in the UK in the past with Josh Hodgson and Elliot Whitehead, so they have again turned to Super League with the signings of John Bateman and Ryan Sutton.
The club has high hopes for the Pommy pair to add some steel to their forward park. But with Blake Austin gone, a lot will rely on makeshift half Jack Wighton. They also have a new fullback in Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
All up, the Raiders have named five new faces in their new-look 17, with Nicoll-Klokstad, Bailey Simonsson, John Bateman, Ryan Sutton and Corey Horsburgh all to make their club debuts.
Jordan Rapana and Michael Oldfield are both missing through injury, paving the way for Simonsson to start on the wing.
For the Titans, veteran Michael Gordon will start at fullback with AJ Brimson on the bench.
Returning playmaker Tyrone Roberts will start in the halves alongside Ashley Taylor, while new recruits Tyrone Peachey and ex-Raider Shannon Boyd are both in the run-on side.
Prediction
Canberra had a horror time at Robina last year as they blew an unassailable lead to lose 30-28 in high drama.
Stuart’s men had a 24-12 lead at half-time, but then succumbed to a sensational Gold Coast comeback. They’ll be hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice.
The Raiders are many people’s pick as a top-eight side. They are notoriously inconsistent, but should have enough to see off the Titans.
Canberra by 12.
Join The Roar from 6:10pm (AEDT) for live scores and a blog of the match.
Kick-off: 6:10pm (AEDT)
Venue: Robina Stadium
TV: Fox League
Betting: Titans $1.83, Raiders $1.05
Squads
Gold Coast Titans
1 Michael Gordon 2 Brenko Lee 3 Tyrone Peachey 4 Brian Kelly 5 Phillip Sami 6 Tyrone Robers 7 Ash Taylor 8 Jarrod Wallace 9 Nathan Peats 10 Shannon Boyd 11 Kevin Proctor 12 Ryan James 13 Jai Arrow.
Interchange: 14 AJ Brimson 15 Moeaki Fotuaika 16 Max King 17 Bryce Cartwright
Reserves: 18 Mitch Rein 19 Dane Copley 20 Anthony Don 21 Keegan Hipgrave.
Canberra Raiders
1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2 Nick Cotric 3 Jarrod Croker 4 Joseph Leilua 5 Bailey Simonsson 6 Jack Wighton 7 Aidan Sezer 8 Josh Papalii 9 Josh Hodgson 10 Sia Soliola 11 Joe Tapine 12 Elliott Whitehead 13 John Bateman
Interchange: 14 Siliva Havili 15 Ryan Sutton 16 Dunamis Luis 17 Corey Horsburgh
Reserves: 18 Sam Williams 19 Jack Murchie 20 Luke Bateman 21 JJ Collins.
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