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Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders: NRL match result, highlights

17th August, 2019
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Storm

18

Match Complete

Raiders

22

80
STO18 : 22RAI

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Roar Guru
17th August, 2019
247
3813 Reads

Storm

18

Match Complete

Raiders

22

76J. Croker
75J. Papalii
71J. Croker
70J. Rapana
53J. Croker
51J. Croker
32J. Croker
C. Smith29
S. Vunivalu27
C. Smith18
J. Addo-Carr16
C. Smith6
J. Olam5

3
Tries
4
3
Conversions
3
0
Penalty Goals
0
0
Field Goals
0

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Match result:

The Canberra Raiders have announced themselves as contenders in 2019 with a 4-point victory over the Melbourne Storm in Melbourne.

Trailing 18-0 at one stage and with just 12 players on the field for 20 of the first 26 minutes of the game, it was a truly remarkable comeback victory for Ricky Stuart’s Raiders.

Hooker and captain was far from his best tonight, coming up with several uncharacteristic errors. He was however still instrumental in the clutch moments, coming up with some great plays to keep his side in the game, and ultimately give the Raiders the lead.

The Storm started with a strangle hold on the game, starving the Raiders of possession early by forcing repeat sets. Jack Wighton was sent to the bin in the 4th minute of the game for tackling a Storm player from an offside position when they were in a position to score. The Storm capitalised on their numerical advantage, with Justin Olam opening the scoring for a 6-0 lead.

Within minutes of Wighton coming back onto the field lock forward Joe Tapine was sent to the bin for his own indiscretion, fighting with Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the scrum. This led to another Melbourne try, this time to Josh Addo-Carr after Olam set up his outside man with a beautiful flick pass out the back.

A try to Suliasi Vunivalu against the run of play in the 27th minute saw the Storm go even further ahead. But the Raiders were able to hit back through co-captain Jarrod Croker in the 32nd minute to send both sides to the break at 18 points to 4.

The Raiders signaled their intent early in the half when Josh Hodgson kicked a 40/20 in the first set after the break. They were unable to capitalise on that play, but it was a sign of things to come as the Raiders would have plenty more chances as the half wore on.

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The second half was a tight arm wrestle in the early stages. It was played at a very fast, giving the game a big-match, semi-final feel to it. The Raiders managed a try in the 51st minute to Jordan Rapana, who dived over in the corner after being denied from a similar position earlier.

The Raiders had a lot more chances on the Storm’s line, but errors cost them at crucial times as they let the Storm off the hook time and time again. It was only in the 70th minute, when Jarrod Croker crashed over for his 2nd try of the game that the comeback from the away side began to have traction.

A one on one strip by the NRL’s number one stripper Josh Hodgson gave the Raiders possession 30m out with 4 minutes on the clock. The Storm were unable to cope with this sudden change of possession, and several plays later it was Hodgson from dummy half putting front-rower Josh Papalii through a gap to score under the posts and seal the game for the Raiders.

With the Storm unable to mount a comeback with 3 minutes remaining, it was the Raiders who ran away with the result, drawing level on 30 points with the 2nd placed Roosters, and beating one of the other competition heavyweights in the process.

Final score
Storm 18
Raiders 22

Match preview:

It’s first versus third on NRL Super Saturday Round 22, and the second top-four blockbuster in as many weeks for these two teams as the Canberra Raiders travel to Melbourne to face the ladder-leaders the Storm. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm (AEST).

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The Storm – victorious against the fourth-placed South Sydney Rabbitohs last week on the Central Coast – have made two changes to their line-up for this week’s massive clash.

New Zealand international Jahrome Hughes is welcomed back at fullback in place the impressive Nicho Hynes, who debuted last week against the Rabbitohs. Ryan Papenhuyzen also returns to the side on the bench, with Billy Walters dropped to the reserves.

The Raiders, who lost few admirers in their 4-point defeat at the hands of the defending premiers the Roosters last week, have also made two changes to their side.

Strike centre Joey Leilua makes his return after a long layoff due to a neck injury (which originally had him out for the season). His inclusion in the side pushes Nic Cotric back to the wing, with Bailey Simonsson moving back to the bench.

Simonsson, a winger/centre, could make way for Siliva Havili on game-day as Havili covers more positions than Simonsson does from the interchange.

Prediction
This game is a huge test for the Raiders. They performed well against the Roosters last week, and actually looked like winning the match at times. However, Ricky Stuart knows that at this time of year and in this type of clash, it’s only the result that matters.

Sure, all is not lost if they lose this game – the Raiders will live to fight another day no matter the result. There is not much chance of the Raiders losing their top 4 spot – certainly no chance of them dropping out of the eight altogether.

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But psychologically, a loss here could be disastrous for Ricky’s Raiders. Losing to the Roosters last week was tough. But back-to-back losses to top 4 teams would be demoralising for any team on the cusp of the finals – let alone a team like the Raiders who actually look the goods this year.

On the flip side, this match is a great chance for the Storm to both seal the Minor Premiership, and silence those who subscribe to the line of thinking that “the Roosters have a gear that no other team in the NRL can get to”.

The Storm are three wins clear of the Roosters on the ladder, yet the Roosters are premiership favourites. Not that it will matter much to Craig Bellamy and his men. They know that premierships are won in the first week of October – not midway through August.

But they will still love the chance to confirm their Minor Premiership status and knock off one of their top challengers in the process.

I think Melbourne will win in a close one. The Raiders will be up for the challenge and will once again lose few admirers with this loss. But the Storm will be too strong, as they usually are.

I believe the Storm will choose to target the returning Joey Leilua in defence. Comebacks from long-term injuries are difficult at the best of times – Leilua could not have picked a tougher game in which to make his return.

Storm by 4.

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Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:30pm (AEST).

Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne
When: 5:30pm
TV: Fox League
Streaming: NRL Digital Pass, Kayo Sports

Storm
1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Tui Kamikamica 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui 16. Joe Stimson 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen 18. Max King 19. Tom Eisenhuth 20. Sandor Earl 21. Billy Walters

Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 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 14. Bailey Simonsson 15. Dunamis Lui 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Ryan Sutton 18. Sam Williams 19. Hudson Young 20. Siliva Havili 21. Emre Guler

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