New Zealand Warriors
16
Match Complete
Canberra Raiders
28
| 80 |  | J. Rapana | ||
| 80 |  | H. Young | ||
| 78 | | J. Rapana | ||
| 78 | | J. Rapana | ||
| 66 | | J. Rapana | ||
| 65 | | S. Kris | ||
| 42 | | S. Kris | ||
| 39 | | J. Rapana | ||
| 38 | | C. Nicoll-Klokstad | ||
| R. Walsh | | 25 | ||
| D. Watene-Zelezniak | | 23 | ||
| R. Berry | | 18 | ||
| R. Walsh | | 2 | ||
| S. O'Sullivan | | 0 |
| 3 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Friday Night Footy in Round 24 begins with the Canberra Raiders and the New Zealand Warriors desperately looking to hold onto some hope of making the finals. Join The Roar for live scores and a rolling blog of all the action from Mackay from 6pm (AEST).
The Raiders seem to be in the best position of the 2 to make the finals; however, the Warriors are not completely out of the race. With so much at stake, this game should be a cracker, with both teams forming strong forward packs, and flashy backs.
Keep an eye on the Warriors whizkid Reece Walsh to try and open up the game, and the inclusion of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad off the bench for the Raiders.
The Raiders look to be sticking to what’s on paper, with Matt Frawley expected to hold onto the halfback position, while Sam Williams will be relegated to the long list of reserves. Corey Horsburgh makes his return after being loaned to the Bulldogs for the past fortnight, and Jordan Rapana looks like remaining as starting fullback. Nicoll-Klokstad will start on the bench and shift in wherever he’s required.
The Warriors’ best player so far this season, Josh Curran, looks to be in huge doubt, with a short turnaround not helping his cause. Eliesa Katoa has also been named, but is in doubt due to a foot injury. Sean O’Sullivan comes in for the injured Chanel Harris-Tavita, who is out with his own foot injury.
Key Match-up: Kodi Nikorima v Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2 bench players? Yes, you heard right. Both of these two players, have the ability to turn a game on its head. With tiring forwards and considering both packs are quite big in size, these two could really cause trouble off the bench to those tiring forwards.
Usually the starting fullback, CNK will look to be back to his absolute best, to try cut up the middle when he comes on off the bench, more as a running type player. Nikorima on the other side of the spectrum, plays more of a hooker role when he comes on, but his speed and playmaking skills could really cut open a tiring Raiders pack. Both players have the chance to really cause damage for their opposition.
Prediction:
With the addition of Matt Lodge, and a steady O’Sullivan, I think the Warriors get the goods here. I am going for an upset victory by the Warriors, by 8.
Game Information
Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
Venue: BB Print Stadium, Mackay
TV: Fox League
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO
Odds: Warriors $2.75, Raiders $1.45 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
New Zealand Warriors
1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Pita Hiku (c), 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Sean O’Sullivan, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Matthew Lodge, 11. Josh Curran, 12. Euan Aitken, 13. Bayley Sironen
Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Eliesa Katoa, 17. Jazz Tevaga
Canberra Raiders
1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Sebastian Kris, 4. Matthew Timoko, 5. Harley Smith-Shields, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Ryan Sutton
Interchange: 14. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Siliva Havili
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I have no idea what Ricky said to them but it obviously worked. How good is Jordan Rapana? My absolutely favourite Raider of all time. If you had 17 Jordan Rapanas out there each week you wouldn't lose a game - and jeez it would be exciting to watch.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Terrific second half by the Green machine - they were staring down the barrel at 16-0 down at one stage. Just a great team effort right across the park in that second half. Jordan Rapana is an absolute beast and if the club doesn't sign him up for a 2 year contract soon they need to get their heads read. Do it Donny. So good to see Frawley at 7 with a bigger body and smart kicking and passing game. The Raiders are in with a shot of a finals berth but will probably have to knock over the Roosters next week.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Looks like he did. Congrats! :) I'm thinking they win next week too and get 8th. Fun to see them face off and beat the Roosters two weeks in a row.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Well by jumping up a bit by 16 the general feeling is the OZ team will get a helping hand.
DixNZ
Guest
Why so? No team other than the Warriors have not received at least 1 repeat set in a game since repeat sets came into the game and the Warriors have not received one in either of their last two games!!
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Oh I know. No fun cheering for the favourites though.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Yeah I think I jumping up 16-0 didn’t help them.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Yes it is ! And that’s Australia!!!!!!!!
Jokerman
Roar Guru
It was cruel !
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Warriors just horrible after their great start. O’Sullivan shouldn’t be there. Missed two tries in the first half - knocks both on. Second half did nothing but went dead on the fourth tackle on attack - should have been thinking DG. Then gives a head high tackle. For a player who had limitations he should be fairly mistake free. We had no talent in the halves in the second half. Watene-Zelezniak was defensively poor. Let the last try in with a poor rushed up read. Arh the Warriors I had them with a 6 point buffer…painful!! Ha Go the All Blacks !!
Sylvester
Guest
I've supported the crackdown on bad high shots, but those two were just silly. It makes a mockery of the head injuries that have ended the careers.
Sylvester
Guest
The writing was on the wall. They just don't know how to win tough games.
Sylvester
Guest
The Raiders are no chance in the finals.
DixNZ
Guest
Explain to me how the Warriors did not receive a repeat set in the last 120 minutes of footie when they are handed out like confetti
Sylvester
Guest
Hard to know how/why the Warriors have any fans...
Tony
Roar Guru
Clueless in defence
You can blame class action by NFL players. They are the sooks that started this all off
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Well done Raiders, shows some grit to come back like that. Will be cheering for you now, hope you can make the finals and have a run. As for the Warriors, I think we have some good signs for next year and can hopefully do better. It has sure been a tough 10 years with the one finals appearance.
80
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in all. Great win, Canberra. Unlucky to the Warriors. My tip was wrong and Canberra deserved that one. CNK made me look like a whiz, Nikorima made me look like a derek lol. Looking forward to the finals.