New Zealand Warriors
21
Match Complete
Canberra Raiders
20
| R. Walsh |  | 78 | ||
| R. Walsh |  | 65 | ||
| E. Aitken |  | 63 | ||
| 35 | | B. Schneider | ||
| 34 | | J. Wighton | ||
| R. Walsh | | 32 | ||
| V. Vailea | | 30 | ||
| 28 | | B. Schneider | ||
| 27 | | H. Young | ||
| R. Walsh | | 25 | ||
| A. Pompey | | 24 | ||
| 15 | | B. Schneider | ||
| 8 | | B. Schneider | ||
| 6 | | M. Timoko |
| 3 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 8 of the NRL Premiership continues this afternoon when the New Zealand Warriors take on the Canberra Raiders at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEST.
For both these teams, there is one piece of good news. No matter how hard this game is, it won’t be as hard as last week. It doesn’t alter the importance of the result though, with wins required to stay close to the top 8.
It’s crazy to think that the Warriors were only down 16-10 to the Storm at half time on ANZAC Day. What followed was downright embarrassing, with the Storm piling on 54 unanswered points in the second half.
Nathan Brown accused some of his players of giving up in the face of adversity, and he is probably right. There are doubts as to whether the Warriors can bounce back from so big a loss.
There are a number of team changes for the Warriors, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (concussion), Josh Curran (knee), Aaron Pene (suspension) and Edward Kosi (omitted) all out of the side. Rocco Berry and Vilaimi Vailea are the new wingers. Jack Murchie and Eliesa Katoa get spots on the bench, with Bayley Sironen starting.
Similar to the Warriors, the Raiders were in the game at halftime against Penrith, only trailing by 14-6. The second half wasn’t quite as dire, but the end result was the same.
The Raiders had only a handful of chances within Penrith’s half in the second 40mins, seemingly with no answers to Penrith’s stingy defence. Their attack did look pedestrian and Jack Wighton needs to become more involved.
In a boost for the Raiders, Elliott Whitehead returns from a facial injury and he forces Harry Rushton back to the reserves.
Prediction
There’s little doubt that both sides will put in better performances this afternoon.
Whilst the Raiders forward pack probably has it slightly over their Warriors counterparts, the Warriors seem to have more to offer in attack.
They will bounce back with a win
New Zealand Warriors by 10
Game information
Kick-off: 3pm AEST
Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Betting: Warriors $2.05, Raiders $1.77 – odds via PlayUp
New Zealand
1. Reece Walsh 2. Rocco Berry 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Viliami Vailea 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Jazz Tevaga
Interchange: 14. Taniela Otukolo 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Jack Murchie
Canberra
1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Semi Valemei 5. Xavier Savage 6. Jack Wighton 7. Brad Schneider 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton
Interchange: 14. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 15. Corey Harawira-Naera 16. Adam Elliott 17. Corey Horsburgh
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I've been trying hard to convince myself that Ricky has some coaching ability given he has played in 3 preliminary finals and one GF in 8 seasons. But its the in between horrible years that bother me. He has no consistency and I wonder if the good years are just the result of some great players lifting the standard of others e.g. Leipana, Hodgson and John Bateman. I would like nothing better than seeing one of the ex Storm players in Slater, Cronk and Smith get sounded out for the coaching job but I don't think the Board or Don Furner would have the stones to do it.
Taree Raider
Guest
Geoff, come on Ricky is the most sacked coach in NRL history. Surely it was all a mistake, Easts, Cronulla, Australia, left the Eels before he was punted. I've been banging on about Ricky's incompetence & playing favourites for years. I'm over him & the board. If you keep doing the same thing expecting a different outcome isn't that insanity.
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
Well said
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I think I forgot the Bulldogs – mind you they are looking likely against the Roosters who are almost as bad as the Raiders – actually they aren’t that bad
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Mustn't have watched the Warriors last week then
Paul
Guest
I was so happy to see the Warriors Win today. To actually turn up & put in an effort. Despite the massive hiding that they were given last week. Anyone has to have some sympathy for them. They are again being forced to play away from home this year . It’s got to be so tough on those players. Good On You Warriors!
Ghosthound
Roar Rookie
I’ve no doubt that Ricky Stuart can coach - a premiership and a losing grand final don’t happen by chance - but is it time for him to have a break? Whatever he’s telling the Raiders players isn’t being heeded.
Tony the VIC pirate
Yep....I'm no longer disappointed just expecting the loss. The whole team have no confidence
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
A loss to the Dogs will be the final nail in the coffin - and it looks odds on to happen. Surely some scrutiny has to come on Ricky Stuart now. Its embarrassing.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I think the squad is physically, mentally and emotionally shot - and they are probably sick of the sight of Ricky Stuart - whatever he is doing or saying the message is not getting through - how many scoreless second halves is that now?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Never tip the Raiders Never tip the Warriors Never tip the Titans Never tip the Knights I think that covers it
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
PS.. Ditch Golden point. Nobody deserved a win today.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Should be standard after that event. Might stop some diving.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I didn't.. Skutz!!
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Cheers David. :thumbup: :thumbup:
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Mate - I am beyond over it - Ricky has turned the squad into a smouldering wreck - and we are only a third of the way into the season - the Dogs are specials to beat the Raiders next week based on the past 5 weeks
danwain
Roar Rookie
I'm loading up on the dogs to beat the raiders next week, I don't think they are at rock bottom yet
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Never tip the WarriorsNever tip the WarriorsNever tip the WarriorsBlast!!Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
Lodge is such a genuinely tough nut player that it is awful to see him encouraged by the game to feign injury... But, either/neither side could have ended with the win here...
danwain
Roar Rookie
He wasn't alone