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 |
Match result:
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
Match preview:
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.
Game information
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.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
No, Nathan Peats IS a South Sydney junior. The questions marks were an emoji gone wrong. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
You should have listened to your mother. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
losing your main playermaker...
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
The Roosters, Broncos and Dragons are in the bottom 6 (not bottom 5). I forgot to count the Titans.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Ryley Jacks should come in,for one of the spots.Probably 7. Peachey 5/8.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Titans were always going to lose with their starting halfback (Ashley Taylor) a late out,and their original named starting 5/8 (Tyrone Roberts) not even lasting 20 minutes of the match. Raiders are very lucky,and shouldn't get too excited,yet...
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Mate, losing your main player just before kick-off and your second playmaker in the first 15 mins of the game would kill ANY team stone cold dead! The Titans should brush this one off and start from scratch next week. Meanwhile, the Matty Johns show reports that Tyson Frizell will miss the next 4 - 6 weeks... with a ruptured testicle! Ouch! Yeah, I grabbed mine too when I heard.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT 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.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME In the end an easy win for Canberra. They played the conditions perfectly with great game management from Wighton, Sezer and Hodgson. Titans looked lost after losing Roberts to injury. Gold Coast 0 Canberra 21
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Raiders are going to be 2nd on the ladder after this with the Warriors 1st, the Tigers 3rd, the Eels 7th and in the top 8. Meanwhile, the Roosters, Broncos and Dragons are in the bottom 5 and the NRL is on it's head and upside down!
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’79 Penalties 11-5 in favour of Canberra. Terrible stat for the Titans. Gold Coast 0 Canberra 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’79 Very good performance from Canberra tonight. Ricky Stuart will be a happy man. Now a penalty for a high shot on Sutton. Gold Coast 0 Canberra 21
76
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’77 Croker adds another two points. Gold Coast 0 Canberra 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’76 Penalty to the Raiders. They are looking for a final try and are 25 metres out. And then Bateman earns another penalty. Gold Coast 0 Canberra 19
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Ah, the Titans are just in a slump at the moment.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Today's matches showed two less credentialed forward packs turn up and outshine their opposition. The Eels and Raiders packs have done well today and I think provided the platform for their wins.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
FIELD GOAL Sezer nails a field goal to add another nail in the coffin. Gold Coast 0 Canberra 19
73
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’74 Titans are going to have some issues next week after injuries to Roberts and Taylor. Huge pressure on Brimson. Then a kick from Hodgson forces a drop-out. Gold Coast 0 Canberra 18