The Raiders return to Canberra to face the Gold Coast Titans for the second time this season. Here are five things to keep tabs on this weekend.
Revenge
The Raiders kicked off their 2018 campaign on the Gold Coast and went down 30-28 to the Titans.
Canberra led for the entire match bar the final two minutes when Titans centre Konrad Hurrell scored under the posts to win the game.
The Raiders have won nine times and lost on 12 occasions against the Titans so expect the boys to come out and attempt to turn things around against the Gold Coast.
Crunch clash
11th vs 12th and three wins each from the opening eight rounds see each of these sides searching for a crucial win this weekend.
Both sides have a seven-day turnaround with the Raiders coming off a win against the Cowboys 18-8 while the Titans suffered a 10-9 defeat to the Sharks last Saturday.
Expect defence to be the key as both sides are renowned for scoring big with the last seven clashes between the two clubs having at least forty points scored on each occasion.
Tongan tearaway
Raiders dummy half, Siliva Havili, has been a revelation this season after moving to Canberra late in 2017.
Having not featured in a single NRL match in 2017, Siliva Havili came to Canberra off the back of a strong campaign at the Rugby League World Cup for Tonga playing in every game for the nation.
His impact thus far from dummy half has provided the attacking spark and defensive intensity that the team has required with Josh Hodgson absent.
Round 8 play of the week: Siliva Havili
Return to GIO Stadium
It has been a two-week absence from GIO Stadium with the team enduring mixed results on the road.
A loss to the Rabbitohs 42-22 in Gosford was followed by a win against the Cowboys 18-8 in Townsville leaves the side with a 3-5 record after eight rounds.
The Raiders last two appearances at home have both resulted in wins and expect the side to take massive confidence from those and aim for a third straight home win.
Action x2
Saturday arvo footy is back in Canberra with the Mounties playing the New Zealand Warriors in the Intrust Super Premiership followed by the NRL fixture between the Raiders and Titans.
The Mounties currently sit first in the ISP with five wins from their opening seven matches in the competition.
Come down on Saturday to support both teams with gates opening at 12:30pm and the ISP clash kicking off at 12:45pm followed by the main event kicking off at 3pm.
