New Zealand Warriors
20
Match Complete
Canberra Raiders
20
| 79 |  | J. Wighton | ||
| 79 |  | J. Croker | ||
| 78 | | E. Whitehead | ||
| 63 | | J. Rapana | ||
| S. Johnson |  | 55 | ||
| D. Watene-Zelezniak | | 48 | ||
| S. Johnson | | 40 | ||
| C. Nicoll-Klokstad | | 38 | ||
| S. Johnson | | 27 | ||
| 19 | | J. Croker | ||
| 18 | | H. Young | ||
| S. Johnson | | 5 | ||
| M. Niukore | | 3 |
| 3 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 21 of the NRL premiership continues tonight when the Warriors take on the Canberra Raiders at GO Media Stadium in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6pm (AEST).
The Warriors’ impressive 44-12 demolition of Cronulla last weekend propelled them ahead of the Sharks and to brink of the top four, a realm they haven’t finished in since 2007. Win tonight and they’ll be up to third, at least temporarily. Win big and they’re virtually guaranteed at least fourth place come Sunday night.
With a favourable draw coming up over the final six weeks of the regular season, a win tonight and maintaining their impressive form for most of the rest of the season would surely see the Warriors book a home final in early September. Heady days indeed in Auckland.
The Raiders currently hold fourth place and have somehow achieved that lofty status despite a negative points differential, and not a small one either – they’re at minus-55, with next worst differential belonging to the 13th-placed Dolphins. Strange days indeed in Canberra.
Plenty of teams have made the finals with a negative differential, including the 2002 Raiders at minus-170, but they generally scrape into seventh or eighth and don’t last much longer. Only one team in the NRL era has made the top four with a negative differential – the 2007 Cowboys who managed to finish third at minus-71.
Those Cowboys were a very good team who suffered a cluster of heavy defeats around the Origin period. This Raiders team are a turducken of mystery, riddle and enigma. Twice this season they’ve been thrashed at home (Penrith and Manly), only to win away to one of the league leaders the following week (Brisbane and Souths respectively). They win unlikely victories and nearly throw away unassailable leads against strugglers.
The Raiders were also soundly beaten at home by the Warriors in early June, so they won’t trouble the red-hot home team in Auckland tonight, right? Well, who knows what these Raiders might do?
In team news, Canberra has Corey Horsburgh back from representative duties and Josh Papali’i back from injury. The Warriors have also been strengthened with the return of hard-running duo Bunty Afoa and Marata Niukore from concussion and suspension respectively.
Prediction
While Canberra may be capable of just about anything, they’re going to need to contain the Warriors’ potent attack, and a few better defensive teams haven’t been able to do that lately.
If the Raiders can keep the game tight and frustrate the Warriors, they’re a chance. If the Warriors break them early, they’ll win comfortably. The latter scenario is more likely. Warriors by 22
Game information
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Warriors $1.40 Raiders $3 – odds via PlayUp
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Mitchell Barnett 16. Tom Ale 17. Freddy Lussick 18. Bayley Sironen 20. Josh Curran 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Viliami Vailea
Raiders: 1. Seb Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota 18. Matt Frawley 19. Nick Cotric 20. Trey Mooney 21. Hohepa Puru 22. Ethan Strange
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
No, it was a draw at full-time, so each team deserved one point. This is the way it was for 90 years. It was brought in because some salty joker told Gallup he didn't like draws. I dislike it because it destroys table integrity, and it isn't fair to the losing teams and the rest of the competition who might miss out on a place in the finals. If scores are level at full-time it should be a draw, as it was for 90 years. It is a travesty of justice that one team will be awarded two points because of a field goal sideshow. A golden try should be the only way a draw can be resolved. If not the following competition point scoring system should be adopted :- Changing the points for round games would be an option :- 4 Points for a win. 3 Points for a GP win. 2 Points for a draw after 5 minutes each way. 1 Point for a GP loss. What did you think of the 2015 grand final?
Jayhall
Roar Rookie
It wasn't a draw, it was 21-20 after a field goal in Golden Point. That warrants 2 points. Just because you're salty doesn't make it untrue. No one is ripped off when the contest is fair for both teams.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The Warriors are looking good for the Finals. They're tough and you have a leader with a good football brain. Good luck.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Hurts the Warriors more than not as well. Is a good feeling when you get one though.
Redcap
Roar Guru
As long as you make Matt Dufty an immortal, as is his birthright (!), I'll be happy enough. The Warriors will have to make do with the Championship Belt, for now.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
He says fairness can be bestowed David. I really want to be the ' Royal Bestower of Fairness'. What a job. Now I can bestow some fairness in the direction of the Cowboys . Game after game I will bestow and bestow and bestow until other teams are completely obliterated. My arm keeps raising as I write this ?
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Golden Point was a bummer for Ben Hunt in the 2015 grand final. St.George-Illawarra having a very poor record in Golden Point may have affected my opinion of it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It was awesome then, it was great tonight I don’t know what you mean by “Warriors didn’t deserve two points” those are the rules and they won the game, deserve is irrelevant
Redcap
Roar Guru
Now, look Jimmy, everybody knows the Warriors would've won 28 premierships by now if the referees had done their job and sin-binned the entire opposing team for the sin of turning up. When will fairness be restored? :shocked:
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
It was a draw, the Warriors didn’t deserve to get two points. What did you think of using GP in the 2015 grand final?
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
It was a draw, the Warriors didn't deserve to get two points. Of course, it won't have any bearing on the eventual winners because in finals games there is 10 minutes extra time and only then will golden point be used. The Broncos were ripped off in the 2015 grand final because the daft NRL decided GP was a good idea. Extra time each way had been used for over 100 years in finals and GP ruined the grand final.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
I 100% agree in general and think a draw is a fine result. But I take the win in this case of course :thumbup:
The Barry
Roar Guru
“Another draw ruined…” hahahaha :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: That’s a classic…
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I like GP as well . It's the right cliche.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
A draw was a valid result for 90 years and the draws I saw were very exciting games. David Gallup was a lawyer who had the golden inspiration after talking with some joker who told him he would prefer to lose than draw.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
You see it . ? A vision? A mirage ? . A biased way of looking at the game. ? Not moaning but the Warriors are playing good footy. Good on em.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
What? Nah...cuz. Kissing ya sister is a terrible cliche...but just no
Tony the VIC pirate
I left 3 mins from time as the warriors were in control so yeah...raiders lacking the punch but the right team won. Shows we deserve to be there despite the lack of attack. I'm sure the "controversy" may be blasted in the media for Kris's no try turnaround 6 but this was a great game won by the right team. We go again :thumbup:
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Yeah he could have finished it earlier especially on the 5th on their goal line and he had great options out wide...dummy didn't work. I thought the ref got the Raiders back. Red head dude should have been binned. Can you imagine a Warrior doing that? Walker had a quieter game and it showed for the Warriors. He hurt his leg early on. 5 day turn around. The bye soon will be welcomed.;
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
It’s a great rule GP, always said.