NRL Match Preview: Round 23 vs Raiders
The Raiders will be desperate to save face in front of their faithful when they host the Wests Tigers eight days after being stunned by the Knights at home.
Ricky Stuart's men held onto fifth position after Round 22, despite falling to Newcastle 28-6 to record their second consecutive loss, and will need to restore some pride if they're to be taken seriously as premiership contenders this season.
With Stuart assured the loss was out of character for his side, the Green Machine will need to get their discipline in check after missing 42 tackles and coming up with 16 errors not good enough to compete with any side in the NRL.
Meanwhile, the Wests Tigers should take some confidence from their trip to Tamworth despite falling short to the Rabbitohs with injuries and discipline getting the better of their side.
The run home doesn't get any easier for Tim Sheens' side who face the Warriors in Hamilton after travelling to the nation's capital on Sunday.
Now sitting four points behind the 16th-placed Dragons, the joint venture have five weeks to avoid bringing the wooden spoon home for a second consecutive year.
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Team News
Raiders: The Green Machine are 1-17 with no game day changes. Jordan Rapana has been named at fullback and Seb Kris in the centres, with Nick Cotric returning on the wing. Adrian Trevilyan is the new man on the bench with Tom Starling going to the reserves. Utuloa Asomua remaining is 18th man.
Wests Tigers: No late changes one-hour before kick off after Alex Seyfarth joined the interchange on Saturday, replacing Asu Kepaoa who reverted to 18th man. Stefano Utoikamanu and Shawn Blore are both out under concussion protocols. Alex Twal will start the match and Justin Matamua has been added to the bench. Five-eighth Daine Laurie (knee) is named to play.
Match: Raiders v Wests Tigers
Round 23 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan RapanaFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert HopoateWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Sebastian KrisCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew TimokoCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Junior Tupou
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Nick CotricWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Daine Laurie
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Alex Twal
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac WoolfordHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey HorsburghLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Adrian TrevilyanInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake Simpkin
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre GulerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Justin Matamua
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Pasami SauloInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Aitasi James
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata MariotaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Alex Seyfarth
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Michael AsomuaReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 17 Asu Kepaoa
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma requires one try to become the first player to score 100 tries for the joint venture club.
- Raiders forward Elliott Whitehead has the chance to claim his 100th victory in the NRL.
- The Raiders have won their past six games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have not won in Canberra since 2018.
- The Raiders have conceded 130 points in their past four games at home.
- Hooker Api Koroisau has scored a try in three consecutive games for Wests Tigers.
- Raiders fullback Jordan Rapana requires two tries for 100 tries for the club.
Match: Raiders v Wests Tigers
Round 23 -
home Team
Raiders
5th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
