NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Tigers

Author: Nathan James
Timestamp: Wed 17 Jul 2019, 02:11 PM

The Canberra Raiders will look for back to back wins when they clash with the West Tigers at GIO Stadium on Saturday.

The Green Machine is coming off the back of an impressive 36-14 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons, where fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scored a double in the win.

Canberra, however, will be without Nick Cotric, the NSW Origin Representative will be replaced by centre Michael Oldfield after he was suspended for his tackle on Dragons’ Tim Lafai.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Saturday 20 Jul

Full Time

Raiders

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 3 Moses Mbye
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey Simonsson

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Paul Momirovski
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Esan Marsters
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Michael Oldfield

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 17 Michael Chee Kam
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 David Nofoaluma
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Aidan Sezer

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis Lui

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Josh Aloiai
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah
Prop for Raiders is number 16 Iosia Soliola

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex Twal
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 John Bateman

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Ryan Matterson
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Chris Lawrence
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Joseph Tapine

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Matthew Eisenhuth

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jacob Liddle
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Siliva Havili

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Corey Horsburgh

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Elijah Taylor
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Emre Guler

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 20 Luke Garner

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Referee: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Darian Furner
Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell

Last updated: 5/29/2023 4:42:03 AM

Raiders’ Josh Papalii will also make his return to the starting forward pack, whilst Iosia Soliola moves back to the bench.

The Tigers will be looking for some redemption after Benji Marshall’s 300th game was tainted by the 30-18 defeat to the Parramatta Eels.

Last Time: The Raiders kept the Tigers scoreless in Round 13 earlier in the year, Canberra had five try scorers in the 28-0 win at Bankwest Stadium.

Key Match-ups:

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad vs Corey Thompson

Two exciting young fullbacks will meet in the Nation’s Capital on Saturday when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad faces off against Corey Thompson.

Nicoll-Klokstad has been a star for the Raiders in his debut season, with the fullback quickly becoming a force in the Canberra attack.

He currently dominates the NRL in kick return metres with 1,109 ahead of Melbourne Storm’s Jerome Hughes on 830.

For the season, Nicoll-Klokstad has scored eight tries, with a double against the Dragons in last week’s win.

Tigers’ Thompson will be looking to continue his exciting play as well, with the fullback scoring seven tries this season.

Both teams will need to be focused on defence, with both fullbacks looking to come up in the line to score.

Aidan Sezer vs Luke Brooks

GIO Stadium is set for a halfback battle when Aidan Sezer clashes with Luke Brooks on Saturday.

The Raiders’ halfback has been a revelation ever since his return to the starting side in Round 12 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Sezer has scored two tries since his return and has been crucial with his kicking for Canberra.

Brooks will look to continue his dominant running game this week, the Tigers halfback leads the NRL in lines engaged with 134.

The two halfbacks will both be looking to provide their respected teams with strong attacking positions.

Josh Papalii vs Josh Aloiai

A battle of the props will take place at GIO Stadium this week when Josh Papalii faces off against Josh Aloiai.

Raiders’ Papalii will make his return to the starting forward pack and will be looking to continue his impressive form.

The Queensland Origin Representative has a total of 2101 running metres this season and defensively has 410 tackles made with 92.9% tackle efficiency.

Tigers’ Aloiai has also been a defensive force, with 412 tackles made this year and 93.6% tackle efficiency.

Both forwards will be looking to prove their strength and will do all that they can to be involved in each defensive play.

“We have been tested throughout the year with our depth and anyone that has come has performed.” – Aidan Sezer

Head to Head:

The Raiders and Tigers have faced off on 37 occasions, with the Tigers claiming 19 victories compared to the Raiders 17, with one match ending in a draw.