New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders: NRL live scores, blog

The New Zealand Warriors desperately try to keep their season alive as the Canberra Raiders aim to consolidate their spot in the top four. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 6pm (AEST).

The Warriors may have been hard done by last weekend but as captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck said earlier this week, they simply have to forget about it and move on if they are any chance of toppling the Raiders on Friday night.

Canberra impressed once more last week with another steely display in defence, meaning that the Warriors will need to throw caution to the wind.

That shouldn’t be a problem though, with Stephen Kearney’s men ranking third in the competition for offloads with 211.

Their back three is one of the strongest in the league and could be even more destructive trailing off late passes in open space.

That being said, the Raiders won the battle up front against Penrith last week and while creativity in attack is important in breaking them, the priority has to be matching their physicality.

In team news, the Warriors welcome Kodi Nikorima back at five-eighth but will be without hooker Issac Luke, who failed to have his dangerous throw charge downgraded at the judiciary.

Karl Lawton is the likely candidate to come into the squad to replace him.

Meanwhile, the Raiders continue their charge up the ladder, stopping the high-flying Panthers with relative ease last week.

Despite a mountain of possession, Penrith didn’t look all that threatening. They threw plenty at Canberra but they had answers to nearly everything that came their way.

It is the kind of defensive grit that wins premierships.

Now the focus will be on staving off the Sea Eagles and holding on to a crucial spot in the top four.

Friday’s game marks fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s first meeting with his former club since making a name for himself in the nation’s capital.

Prediction
The Warriors will be desperate to keep their finals hopes alive but they will struggle to wear down a committed Canberra outfit.

Raiders by 8.

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 6pm (AEST).

Game information

Kick-off: 6pm (AEDT)
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
TV: Live, Fox League
Online: Foxtel Go, Foxtel Now
Betting: Warriors $2.30, Raiders $1.60
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Gavin Badger

Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Gerard Beale 3. Peta Hiku 4. Blake Ayshford 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Issac Luke 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Adam Blair 12. Isaiah Papalii 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Lachlan Burr 15. Sam Lisone 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Chanel Harris-Tavita 18. Karl Lawton 20. Josh Curran 21. Adam Pompey 22. Adam Keighran

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. Iosia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Siliva Havili 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Dunamis Lui 18. Sam Williams 19. Hudson Young 20. Sebastian Kris 21. Royce Hunt