The CFMEU Canberra Raiders have named their team for the first round of the NRL season, with an extended 19 man squad named today to take on the Panthers on Saturday night at CUA Stadium.

New recruits Reece Robinson and Danny Galea will get the first chance to impress this year as they have been named on the wing and second row respectively, while Marc Herbert has been given the nod at halfback, edging out Josh McCrone for the Raiders number seven jersey.

Raiders Coach David Furner said Herbert’s selection was a result of his work with five-eighth Terry Campese over the pre-season, while Robinson had shown plenty of promise since arriving at the club.

“We’ve looked at the two trial games and I’m confident in our halves combination. I thought Marc and Terry showed a little bit better combination, but Josh McCrone wasn’t far off,” Furner said. “I think Reece has been very strong for us early and deserves his crack at the starting spot, he’s fitted into our culture quite well and we’re confident in him.”

The Raiders first road trip of the season sees them taking on a Penrith Panthers outfit that are renowned for their size and aggression in the forward pack and Furner said the final make-up of his side would reflect this.

“Penrith are a very big side so we’ll be looking to combat that,” he said. “We have some guys on an extended bench in Shaun Fensom and James Stuart so we’ll make a decision later in the week.”

CANBERRA RAIDERS V PENRITH PANTHERS
SATURDAY MARCH 13, 7.30PM
CUA STADIUM

NRL

1. JOSH DUGAN
2. REECE ROBINSON
3. JARROD CROKER
4. JOEL THOMPSON
5. DANIEL VIDOT
6. TERRY CAMPESE
7. MARC HERBERT
8. DAVID SHILLINGTON
9. ALAN TONGUE (C)
10. SCOTT LOGAN
11. DANNY GALEA
12. BRONSON HARRISON
13. JOSH MILLER

14. TRAVIS WADDELL
15. TREVOR THURLING
16. TROY THOMPSON
17. DANE TILSE
18. SHAUN FENSOM
19. JAMES STUART

COACH: DAVID FURNER

TOYOTA CUP

1. HAYDON HODGE
2. CHRIS MEDCALF
3. SEAN LOXLEY
4. DRURY LOW
5. MICHAEL THOMAS
6. JAMES SMART
7. SAM WILLIAMS (C)
8. MARK APPLETON
9. MATT MCILWRICK
10. MITCH KENNEDY
11. SAM MATAORA
12. MARK NICHOLLS
13. TOM MURPHY

14. TOM SELLARS
15. PAUL VAUGHAN
16. MICHAEL CULLEN
17. CAIN HENRY
18. SAM SAUILUMA

COACH: DAVID HAMILTON