
After two gritty wins to start the season, the Canberra Raiders S.G. Ball Cup side will be looking to maintain their record when they face the Victorian Thunderbolts.
Having seen his side come from behind to defeat the Parramatta Eels and New Zealand Warriors respectively, coach Billy Thomson is pleased with the character displayed by the playing group.
“It’s encouraging sign for me but there’s a lot to work on,” Thomson said. “We’re a new side together, we’ve got some young halves in there so there’s a lot to work on.
“The side have been very courageous over the last couple of weeks and the last couple of wins. They’re playing for each other with a lot of purpose. They’re also playing for the jumper which is very important for us.”
Highlights: UNE Harold Matthews Cup Rd 2
The side will be aiming to remain at the top of table with a win but Thomson says his side need to improve in defence.
“We spoke in detail this week about our defensive techniques that let us down last week – and there were quite a few of them,” Thomson said. “We put our nose to the grindstone on Wednesday night focusing on all these points and that’s where I’d like to see some improvement.
“We’ve leaked close to 22 points per game and that’s not good enough and the players know that and we’d like to get that number down.
With a short season, Thomson is working hard to ensure his sides continues their momentum and doesn’t take their foot off the peddle when they face the Thunderbolts.
“Rugby league is all about playing off the back of some really good momentum and I think having the start that we’ve established at the moment has given us an opportunity,” Thomson said. “We just need to take that opportunity and make it really work for us as a group.”
Match: Raiders v Storm
Round 3 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Junior TupouFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Ashton KolinisauWinger for Storm is number 2 Lene FETERIKA
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Michael AsomuaCentre for Storm is number 3 Sione Finau
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Brown KuresaCentre for Storm is number 4 Deveraux Feo
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Livai KaloutoluWinger for Storm is number 5 Imila Mataafa
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Mitchell SPENCERFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Andy Tapatuetoa
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Halfback for Raiders is number 9 Joshua PokoneyHalfback for Storm is number 7 Noah NATAPU
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 7 Connor WilliamsProp for Storm is number 8 Fonua Pole
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Hooker for Raiders is number 12 Caleb ESERAHooker for Storm is number 22 Lotoni POUHILA
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Prop for Raiders is number 15 Jayden ClarksonProp for Storm is number 10 Gabriel BARTLETT
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 8 Bryce Magnone2nd Row for Storm is number 9 Tui IEREMIA
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Henry Alesi2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Xaviour TAUFA
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Trey MooneyLock for Storm is number 13 Jared Nauma
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Eneseli KamutaInterchange for Storm is number 14 Josiah KENI
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Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Kane SmithInterchange for Storm is number 15 Allan LO TAM
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Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Jack WilliamsInterchange for Storm is number 16 Poasa Telepe
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Interchange for Raiders is number 22 Jackson OwenInterchange for Storm is number 20 Jethro TAVU’I-LEOTA
Reserves
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Reserve for Raiders is number 16 Ethan FosterReserve for Storm is number 18 Nat LATU
Last updated:
Elsewhere, the Canberra Raiders Tarsha Gale Cup side will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent winning record when they host the Wests Tigers.
Match: Raiders v Wests Tigers
Round 3 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Madyson ToothFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jessica Whelan
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Klaudia OsztrenkovicsWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Jaidarose LENE
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Valasi ASOMUACentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Shelby MUIR
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Grace TAICentre for Wests Tigers is number 18 vani sorovi
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Molly CARRWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Chloe Newman
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Makayla MORRISFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Briana Dean
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Krystal BlackwellHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Georgia Nies
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Holly Jane CHRISTISONProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Eileen SINAKI-TEULILO
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Maddie DODSONHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Taleah GIBSON
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Amelia KIRIUIProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 piper sutton
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Samantha Clegg2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Tiamo Williams
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Grace Martin2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Folau VAKI
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Geena ElliottLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Jessica Kennedy
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Jemma DAVEYInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 3 Maleah MAYOL
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Hayley LIDDLEInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Eliza SIILATA
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Maata ALAI-LOKENIInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Anna Moa
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Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Sydney HarrisonInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Tehillah VAELUAGA
Reserves
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 16 Ashleigh DEATON
Last updated:
The Harold Matthews Cup side are guaranteed two competitions points as they enjoy the bye.