The Canberra Raiders Jersey Flegg side will look for their second win on the trot as they take on the Roosters at Seiffert Oval this Saturday.
The Raiders are coming off the back of an 18-14 win over the Newcastle Knights where they held off a strong attack in the last five minutes to hold off the Knights.
Head Coach Ash Barnes says he was pleased with the way the team stepped up in the finals minutes of the game.
“We were in a bit of a predicament where we were in front and they were coming to get us at the end and the boys showed a lot of commitment and determination to hold them out which was really pleasing.”
Barnes was also impressed by the defense on the left side provided by centre Matt Timoko and winger Semi Valemi but says that there are still things to work on and improve but overall defended the shifts really well.
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Fullback Lachlan Eveston will miss this week’s game again because of an ongoing shin problem and will be replaced by Jackson Stuart who will be expected to do the same as last week from Barnes.
“I expect exactly what I saw from him last week, he has earned his position in the team, he has had a fantastic offseason and worked really hard and I thought he did a really good job last week and I think he grew a lot of confidence last week which we expect him to continue to do so.”
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Barnes has also liked the looking of prop Charlie Rorke who is in his second season after switching codes from rugby union. Barnes says that he is a real competitor and tries to win every contest that he goes in to and thinks that Rorke will improve week by week.
