Match Preview: Raiders v Warriors
The Canberra Raiders will face the New Zealand Warriors this Saturday at an empty CBUS Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
The Raiders are aiming for consecutive wins after defeating the Titans 24-6, while the Warriors are looking to bounce back after their 20-0 loss to the Newcastle Knights in round one.
Neither team will have the home ground advantage this week as the Warriors agreed to host the Raiders on the Gold Coast in an empty stadium due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
There are no changes to the Raiders side from round one. Corey Horsburgh and Joe Tapine named at lock in the second-row respectively which reflects where they played last week.
Canberra captain Jarrod Croker and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad are both expected to play after undergoing HIAs last week. Ryan Sutton has been named in the reserves as he is set to return from suspension.
The Warriors have made some changes to their backline as teammates Peta Hiku and Patrick Herbert returned home earlier in the week to be with their families. Adam Pompey and Adam Keighran have been named to fill the gaps.
In the second-row Eliesa Katoa is set to start, with Isaiah Papalii moved to the bench.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 2 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-SheckFullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Adam PompeyWinger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 David Fusitu'aCentre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam KeighranCentre for Raiders is number 4 Curtis Scott
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Raiders is number 5 Nick Cotric
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake GreenHalfback for Raiders is number 7 George Williams
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Leeson Ah MauProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Lachlan BurrProp for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis Lui
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Adam BlairLock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Kodi NikorimaInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Siliva Havili
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Isaiah Papali'iInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Iosia Soliola
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 King VuniyayawaInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Michael Oldfield
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Referee: Dave Munro
Last updated:
Last time: With a host of regular first-graders being rested, the Raiders suffered a 24-20 defeat at GIO Stadium in Round 25 last year. Both sides scored four tries each, with goalkicking proving the difference on that occasion.
NRL.com Preview: Warriors v Raiders - Round 2
Key Match-ups
Blake Green v George Williams
When George Williams was coming through the ranks at Wigan, his opponent this weekend was the senior half at the club.
Having spent two seasons as teammates for the Cherries, the two will go head to head as they aim to steer their respective sides to victory.
Williams had a solid debut game last Friday night and was particularly impressive in defence and looked dangerous with his running game.
His combination with Jack Wighton looked impressive for their first competitive outing together.
Green will continue to organise the Warriors around the park, particularly with his long kicking game. The playmaker made 313 kicking metres which included a 40/20 against the Knights last Saturday.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad v Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
I have spoken to my friends at the Warriors
There’s plenty of respect between these two former teammates who are proven performers in the NRL.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad emerged as one of the finest fullbacks in the game over the course of 2019. His security under the high ball, kick return meters and threat in attack saw him burst on to the scene.
However, a failed HIA early in the season opener meant that the Kiwi international had little time on the field. He’s expected to play this weekend and will be looking to continue where he finished off the 2019 season.
Tuivasa-Scheck, who was a mentor for Nicoll-Klokstad at the Warriors, will be looking to lead his side as they search for a win and their first points in 2020.
The 2018 Dally M Medalist, was a handful last time he played the Raiders and scored a try and threatened the line throughout the match.
Dunamis Lui v Lachlan Burr
Over the last two seasons, Dunamis Lui has gone under the radar as he’s fulfilled his role to perfection whether it be from the bench or starting matches.
Given a starting role for the start of the 2020 season, Lui will be looking to ensure the Raiders start on the right foot and win the early arm-wrestle.
The Samoan international got through plenty of work in his 33 minutes on the field last week with 19 tackles and 75 running metres.
Up against him this week is Lachlan Burr who will be aiming to build upon an impressive 2019 season for the Warriors.
Burr also found plenty of work as he got through 41 tackles and made 75 running meters in close to 50 minutes.
Head to Head
We want to keep playing footy
Of 38 games played between them; they’ve each won 19 and the results were also shared in 2019.
Although the two sides haven’t faced each other at CBUS Super Stadium, overall the Warriors have a better record at the venue.
The Warriors have eight wins from 13 games. The Raiders have five wins from 12 games.
